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Theatre Ortas presents

Private Thoughts

by Alex Martinez

Directed by: Kevin Hely

Hackney Empire Studio Theatre

 6 - 25 April 2009

I

A review by Diana Damian for EXTRA! EXTRA!

Eric Godber (Kevin McGowan) has a great obsession that he can’t get rid of. He has sexual fantasies about little girls. He has reached a point where his mind can no longer control his urges, and is seeking help from Dr. Chase (Clara Oneymere). Private Thoughts presents us with a challenging exploration of a mental problem, yet only manages to scrape the surface in its depiction.

The concept behind the play is a fascinating one- exploring what is considered taboo in a society through the lens of a normal, middle class man, and, not incidentally, a man who works in optics for a living. In a traverse stage set up, the two blocks of audience mirror each other, the space in-between becoming a projection of faith clashing in distrust.

There is a power struggle taking place between Eric and Dr. Chase to ultimately uncover what lies behind his paedophilic fantasy. ‘I am asking you to imagine’, the therapist urges the patient. His reply is abrupt: ‘This is all between me and my conscience’. The tension between Eric’s refusal to look at his past and Dr. Chase’s insistence to help him confront it is not explored enough through Kevin Hely’s direction. This relationship seems stronger in the text than it is onstage. Despite moments when Eric becomes threatening towards Dr. Chase, or when their stillness and distance creates a barrier, the physical communication is underdeveloped.

Eric becomes more afraid that his disturbing fantasies could become a reality. Over the time span of four scenes, we see Dr. Chase trying to push for answers about his childhood and his religious upbringing, details so hidden to Eric that they force him over the edge. The slow discovery of information often leaves the audience lost rather than interested. This drip-feed of details is not well-paced enough to maintain the suspense.  

The performance fails to confront the audience, the direction falling short of a brave text.

Box office: 020 8985 2424
 http://www.hackneyempire.co.uk
 £12.50  Concs: £10.50. Friends: £9.50. CAN: £10, £5 Mondays
Hackney Empire
Studio Theatre
291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ

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