Katherine Lea Archives - thespyinthestalls.com

★★★½

“a riveting, exciting watch”

Port City Signature by Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller is a Noir-styled suspense story centred around the arrival of the naïve Newcomer into the local public house after having missed her train home. The mistrustful Regular and his sex-working partner-in-crime, Lady (Katherine Lea), coax Newcomer into executing a shady deed for them, to help alleviate the targeted extortion they have been subject to from Sheriff, the local, corrupt law enforcer. Will she be able to follow through? Will things get out of hand? Only one way to find out.

The opening of the piece was given space and significance, with the space not always being as alive as it could have been. Set designer Hannah Williams did a marvellous job of creating a dark, dingy boozer that breathed dank ambience into the audience. Although they took their time, the actors initiated some interest in, and raised questions about the characters; somewhat, grabbing the attention of the audience, although not locking them into engagement, even though the story was being told clearly.

This could have been aided by more elaborate and interesting lighting and sound choices, helping the actors truly lean into the Noir style. It would’ve served the actors well to find the lightness and humour in the language and to have fully trusted the well written script of Brimmer-Beller to create the suspense for them.

However, with the pressures of the train arriving and the need for its loud, disguising rattle along the line, the suspense of the piece began to ignite. The given circumstances being expressed well by the trio on stage. The well-found and unshakeable nonchalance of Regular (Paddy Echlin) beginning to slip under the anxiety of the situation.

The capturing entrance of the callous and sinister Sheriff (David Carter) boosted and served the urgency of the scene and, in the first act’s climax, light, sound and performance blended together brilliantly in a crescendo of action. There was some good directorial craftwork and choices from Brimmer-Beller and Phoebe Rowell John, particularly with their choice for regular shootout style triangles, that gave the characters chance to fire their suspicions at each other, while revealing their inner life to the audience. The payoff from the slow build was good and the stakes of the piece were now being truly felt as the power shifted seamlessly into the hands of the unassuming Newcomer (Meg Clarke) who relished the opportunity and led the play ruthlessly to its ending. An unforeseen final twist made the audience feel abashed at having assumed all was what it seemed.

Everyone is a suspect in Port City Signature, with no loyalty between the untrustworthy characters and all ties between them being transactional. After an overly-measured start, the play built and built and built, finding its feet and made for a riveting, exciting watch.

Chasing Ghosts

Etcetera Theatre

Reviewed – 9th October 2019

★★★½

“a strong piece of writing from Robert Bingham”

Hot on the heels of ‘Bipolar Me’, Etcetera Theatre have put on another play focussing on mental health, this being a new piece of writing performed by new company JB Theatre.

Seemingly normal chap Simon, lashes out at a female friend of his, breaking her jaw. He ends up in a police cell and despite being discharged, refuses to leave. An unconventional priest comes in to counsel Simon, help him confront his demons and try to get to the bottom of why he is continually being confronted by ghostly figures.

A fairly basic set consisting of a table, two chairs and a couple of stools did the job, lighting was fine with occasional nice little flourishes and music was well chosen. I did feel that each music cue was sliced off, a gentle fade would have been so much easier on the ear.

The play starts with priest Cade (Robert Bingham) reading aloud a devastating diagnosis that he had received from the hospital. This scene stayed with me throughout and as he used a series of bizarre tactics to counsel Simon, you wondered just what demons he was facing himself. Simon (Ben Felton) gives a very strong performance. He is wholly invested in his character, although never specified, he is clearly dealing with PTSD and the stillness and strength of his voice somehow makes his vulnerability particularly heart-breaking. An early scene when he attempts to escape his demons through dance, is particularly effective. Cade is a fascinating character, certainly not like any priest I’ve ever seen. The actor clearly has fun with him, there are some nice moments of humour and although he is possibly slightly overplayed, that opening scene keeps coming back to validate his behaviour. Callie (Katherine Lea) completes the cast, underwritten a little in my opinion, her downstage reading of a letter she had written to Simon is beautifully performed. I did however have an issue with her ripped jeans. In fashion, sure, but whenever the actress doubled as one of the demons, despite the fact that her face was hidden, you saw the ripped jeans and just thought, ‘that’s Cally!’ A simple pair of black trousers would have helped the illusion. A nice little hinted at love story between Simon and Cally, I hope her boyfriend Dan is given the boot.

It becomes apparent that personal tragedy from Simon’s early family life is haunting him, now the earlier mentioned health issue is haunting Cade. When Simon asks Cade “Will I will ever see you again?” and Cade waits a beat and answers “It’s unlikely”, it cut through me like a knife.

This is a strong piece of writing from Robert Bingham, the closing scene with a brilliant light fade, is really impactful. Thought provoking stuff with an interesting twist, I left the theatre wondering who had been counselling whom. I hope that JB Theatre go from strength to strength, they have a play here ideal for the festival circuit.

We all have our own personal demons, as I headed for the Northern line, I couldn’t help looking over my shoulder to see if there was a cloaked figure following me.

PORT CITY SIGNATURE at the Hope Theatre

★★★½

“a riveting, exciting watch”

PORT CITY SIGNATURE at the Hope Theatre

Reviewed on 4th October 2024

by Curtis Dean

Photography by Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller

Previously reviewed at this venue:

PORT CITY SIGNATURE

PORT CITY SIGNATURE

Etcetera Theatre

Reviewed – 9th October 2019

★★★½

“a strong piece of writing from Robert Bingham”

Hot on the heels of ‘Bipolar Me’, Etcetera Theatre have put on another play focussing on mental health, this being a new piece of writing performed by new company JB Theatre.

A fairly basic set consisting of a table, two chairs and a couple of stools did the job, lighting was fine with occasional nice little flourishes and music was well chosen. I did feel that each music cue was sliced off, a gentle fade would have been so much easier on the ear.

It becomes apparent that personal tragedy from Simon’s early family life is haunting him, now the earlier mentioned health issue is haunting Cade. When Simon asks Cade “Will I will ever see you again?” and Cade waits a beat and answers “It’s unlikely”, it cut through me like a knife.

We all have our own personal demons, as I headed for the Northern line, I couldn’t help looking over my shoulder to see if there was a cloaked figure following me.

Reviewed by Chris White

Chasing Ghosts

Etcetera Theatre until 12th October

Previously reviewed at this venue: