Gareth Tudor Price chooses a controversial and intellectual subject with American writer David Mamet’s play Oleanna. This is the story of a College professor’s encounter with a less able student who needed to be awakened to her course, a challenge that lays him open to misinterpretation and persecution. The play will be interpreted in different ways by the audience according to their gender and beliefs, always meaning something different to each. It’s a tragedy whatever conclusion you come to.

John, the professor, is on the verge of promotion, a fact that has allowed him to think about a better house for his family, but not at the expense of his students. Carol, the student, is struggling with her course and needs to be provoked to get her to fulfil her intellectual potential. What ensues is every teachers’ nightmare, for the student misinterprets his words and reads more into his actions than is meant. Words and actions mean different things to different people and that is what this play is about. You will have to go to see this play and make your own mind up as to who takes advantage of whom. The acting is faultless with fine performances by Peter Harding, as the professor, and Katherine Lang, as the student, who are on stage throughout the duration of the play. Andrew Wood’s simple neat contemporary set added just the right background.

This play is a well observed piece of writing which will make you think and go home with your own thoughts about what really happened in the professor’s study. One of Hull Trucks’ more mind provoking productions, let’s hope it continues. © BA

“Oleanna” is in Hull from the 9th of May, 2002 to the 1st of June, 2002.