Tag Archives: Camden Fringe

Did it Hurt? – 3 Stars

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Did

Did it Hurt?

Camden People’s Theatre

Reviewed – 6th August 2018

★★★

“a rebalancing and proportioning of the content would heighten the clarity and impact of the message”

 

Written and performed by Michael Faulkner and Joshua Poole, alias ‘Seventy30’, ‘Did It Hurt?’ addresses the issues of male mental health, suicide and the deep-rooted stigma around emotional expression, admission and reaching out. Two strangers find themselves locked in a dark room together. With nowhere to go and no one else to talk to they are forced to get to know each other and eventually reveal secrets and truths. Gradually the layers of suppression peel away and they discover the relief of communication.

This debut production has a well-structured storyline and a clever twist near the end, but a rebalancing and proportioning of the content would heighten the clarity and impact of the message. The first part emphasises the social backgrounds of the characters, but the conversation relies heavily on stereotypical references and differences and leans more towards a comment on class distinction. Listening to their stories, we begin to connect with Jean (Poole) and Paul (Faulkner) as they draw out each other’s pasts with mockery, humour and ocassionally aggression. Their lives have a certain poignancy but as individuals they come across as representatives of a social system rather than defined characters, which undermines our emotional reaction. Both actors give good if slightly underplayed performances, relying more on the script than interpretation to create their contrasting personalities.

Kathryn King, brings an added audio dimension to an otherwise simple approach to the direction. Music and sound (uncredited) spontaneously project inner thoughts and memories into the narrative, as an impulse for further discussions and confessions. We feel a few moments of tension as the situation develops but a more varied pace would intensify the dynamics of this claustrophobic situation. There is some thoughtful detail in the uncomplicated set, the significance of which becomes progressively apparent.

It is a challenge to choose such a sensitive subject and any initiative and creativity by young artists like this should be supported and encouraged. Although ‘Did It Hurt?’ does not fully succeed in offering the powerful or revelatory insight it proposes, as a piece of theatre it is original, well executed and engaging.

Reviewed by Joanna Hetherington

Photography courtesy 70:30 Theatre Company

 

Pigeon

Did it Hurt?

Camden People’s Theatre until 6th August

as part of The Camden Fringe Festival 2018

 

 

Click here to see more of our latest reviews on thespyinthestalls.com

 

 

In the Wake of – 3 Stars

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Wake

In the Wake of

Lion & Unicorn Theatre

Reviewed – 4th August 2018

★★★

“Morris’ emotionally charged delivery of a monologue in the final scene proved to be a highlight of the entire production”

 

Set on a council estate in Hull, In the Wake Of is a new piece of writing by Michael Black, who also appears in the production. Black plays Jimmy, who has recently been released from prison and turns up at the house of a friend, Rob (Mickey Mason), and his girlfriend, Chelsea (Rachel Morris). It’s not long before we learn of dark secrets when past events rear their ugly head and relationships are threatened.

The acoustics of the Lion and Unicorn Theatre worked well with the production, making it almost feel as though we were in the room with the characters. This did sometimes mean that outbursts and confrontations were a bit harsh to the ears, but overall it could be said that it added to the gritty nature of the play.

Confrontational scenes were generally well played and directed (Matt Strachan), but it was sometimes a case of the energy then dropping and the pace lagging, before the next outburst. In some of these scenes, actors also occasionally had their backs to the audience, which meant we missed some of the emotion delivered by them.

All actors displayed a good level of commitment to their characters, but Rachel Morris as Chelsea stood out, particularly during the final scenes. She presented great raw emotion and was believable as someone caught up in other people’s dramas, culminating in her character doing something to create drama of her own. Morris’ emotionally charged delivery of a monologue in the final scene proved to be a highlight of the entire production.

In the Wake Of is not a play to see if you want a relaxed evening, but it’s certainly a realistic and powerful display of human emotion and the impact past events can have when they resurface.

 

Reviewed by Emily K Neal

Photography courtesy Faded Ink Productions

 

Pigeon

In the Wake of

Lion & Unicorn Theatre until 7th August

as part of The Camden Fringe Festival 2018

 

 

Click here to see more of our latest reviews on thespyinthestalls.com