The Natural Cause

Robert Holman's play The Natural Cause is a dark and disturbing portrait of mental illness, and its effects on a young family. It was first performed at the Cockpit Theatre, London, on 27 May 1974. Although written after his earlier play Mud, The Natural Cause was Holman's first full-length play to be staged. A stage direction at the start of the play states that 'The play is an autopsy. It should take place in a mortuary on a white tiled floor.' The dead body of Barry Jackson is wheeled in and a pathologist begins his examination as Lyn Jackson, Barry's mother, recalls what Barry was like as a child. The action proceeds in flashback, with Barry and his pregnant wife Mary on Brighton beach. Barry is a bus conductor, but he'd like to drive the bus one day instead. Lyn keeps telling Mary that Barry's not right, and that she should leave him. But Mary chooses to stick with Barry, as his mental deterioration has frightening consequences. The premiere production was directed by Ron Daniels, and was performed by Natasha Pyne, Nicholas Ball, George Sweeney, Derek Thompson, Maureen Sweeney and Peter Maycock.