A Box of Tricks Theatre production, supported by Old Vic New Voices The world première of Whispering Happiness
Written by Kenneth Emson
Tristan Bates Theatre
9 June – 4 July 09
I
A review by Marion Drew for EXTRA! EXTRA!
Whispering Happiness is the second part of Kenneth Emson’s Town/Country trilogy, and although it would probably be best to have seen the first part, Rural, this play stands alone quite well. However, it was hard to get an understanding from this setting, of the context of the State having seized power and relocated to the country, the impression is of a council estate, bleak, grim and desolate. The two central characters are teenagers Hayley (Abigail Hood) and Simon (Richard James-Neale) who belong to a community that is crumbling in every conceivable way, where violence looms as a constant background possibility. ‘It feels so cold,’ says Hayley and indeed any warmth has long gone from their lives. These young people seem to have a future as bleak a wasteland as their surrounds. Simon, frustrated and angry, is looking for a way out, ‘it’s not enough is it?’ but Hayley, played with an endearing kind of street-wise innocence, tries to see the best in what life has dealt her, and does not share his view, ‘you keep looking for the happy endings Simon, well that ain’t gonna happen to us … what we have here is almost perfect.’ But Simon is not prepared to give up. An opportunity for something positive and meaningful in his life seems to come his way in the form of a creeping shadowy figure whispering secrets … promises. Is this a chance for happiness? Or is it something deeper, more bitter, darker? He grasps at it, but it doesn’t take him to his dreams. A deserted park with a single climbing frame and a Formica table in a stark police interview room create a mutely menacing space, enough to keep the audience just this side of comfortable, as does the acting which is excellent throughout. Particularly outstanding was Jim Sturgeon, playing both an old tramp in his wandering alcoholic stupor (is he too waiting, does he too hear promises?) and Noah, a police sergeant, each totally believable as their characters. What comes through in this tightly, directed grim urban fairy tale very clearly, is that these actors respect both each other and the work. The message is driven home in an unflinching, incisive way, making the third part of this trilogy something to look out for.
Performances: 7.30pm no Sunday performances Tickets £13/10 concessions Tickets: 020 7240 6283 boxoffice@tristanbatestheatre.co.uk 1A Tower Street
Copyright © EXTRA! EXTRA All rights reserved
|
zens