500 Letters at Herald Theatre

Pauline Grogan (right) throws herself into her role in 500 Letters, directed by Margaret-Mary Hollins (left). Picture / Martin Sykes

It's hard to believe that Pauline Grogan has never acted on stage before. The 60 year-old novice twirls around the stage with the style and energy of an actor half her age with twice her experience.

Mind you, she has a couple of advantages over more experienced actors.

First, she is bringing her own story to life, so it is unlikely she will forget her lines; and second, her life has been full and interesting enough to provide material for at least three plays.

500 Letters gives the edited highlights of Grogan's life and her friendship with James Lynch, a severely disabled man who lived in hospital for more than 40 years, confined to his bed.

It is Lynch who offers her solace as she tries to deal with the aftermath of her 10-year-old daughter's stroke..

It is Lynch who encourages Grogan to tell the truth about the abuse she suffered at the hands of the priest who pushed her out of her beloved vocation as a Catholic nun.

And it is Lynch who listens for hours, days and years as Grogan relives her highs and lows.

The programme describes Lynch as the hero of the play, but really it is Grogan's story, although there is no doubt that he is her hero and a true friend.

Who could blame her? In these ever-busy times it is hard to find people who will take the time to truly listen and offer heartfelt, non-judgmental advice.

While watching 500 Letters I wished I could have spent some time with Lynch and had some of his spirit and joie de vivre rub off on me.

500 Letters is a brave debut by a woman who has faced many challenges head on.

This show is no different, as she is re-enacting some of the lowest points of her life, onstage alone.

Grogan is a charismatic performer who connects easily with the audience from her first step on to the stage.

She plays the piano, sings and tells her story seamlessly, hitting all her lighting and audio visual cues without a misstep.

Director Margaret-Mary Hollins describes 500 Letters as raw storytelling, but she must be referring to the emotional content of the play rather than its presentation.

She has taken Grogan's raw talent and polished it into a sparkling performance and, with dramaturge Lynne Cardy, has developed a well-paced piece of theatre.

The staging is simple but effective, with just a piano and armchair for props. Different scenes are created with evocative and humorous audio-visuals, designed by Peter Simpson and projected across four large flats that dominate the back wall.

As a former music teacher, Grogan must be pleased with the sound design from the talented Andrew McMillan, which provides another important atmospheric element.

In fact, she should be proud of the whole team of professionals she has drawn around her to help to tell her story.

In the programme, Grogan mentions that a two-day workshop helped her to discover the magic of theatre. 500 Letters shows that magic reflected in her fresh eyes.

What: 500 Letters
Where: Herald Theatre
When: To October 30