REVIEWS REVIEWS
Home truths at a reunion. Reunions should be avoided at all costs, but this one makes good theatre. Torben Betts really gets into the swing of things with his Sophie Winter Memorial Trust production at the Stephen Joseph Theatre. It should persuade all not to attend reunions with people that you have not seen regularly; now there is a contradiction in terms. I suspect that all who attended Ruth’s reunion wish that they had followed that rule and they would no doubt have enjoyed an evening in the company of their contemporaries evolved over the years. Food for thought.
“The Swing of Things” is at the Round in Scarborough from the 4th October to the 27th of October, 2007. This is a No Smoking theatre.
Adam Barnard gives us some intriguing aspects of direction as he punctuates speech delivery and sets up situations that evolve in everyday life, which are magnified to extremes as the play progresses. We have Ruth, played with insight by Patti Clare, feeling forgotten and despised, who decides to invite three of her school friends who quite clearly have extended on their school personalities and, like all, have not coped well. We have, Lindsay, played by Cate Hamer, who wants, but does not get, what she thinks she wants, and Caroline, played by Vivien Parry who aspires, but does not get because of her personality and underlying temperament. Both these actresses capture their character to perfection. Add to this their male companions Ruth’s Steve, played by Mark Spalding, once married and plodding along, Mark, played by Neal Barry, frustrated with his ability that does not give him what he wants, then enter Claude, played by David Ajala, the successful footballer who thinks he has it all. This is the point of the play when things really start to happen. All these actors get their characters spot on. By this time some of the audience are beginning to see real life situations that they have experienced and those who have not are tittering, but their time will come.
The set designed by Nancy Surman did not suit this stage as those in the front rows of the audience were craning their head to see what was going on at either end of the stage. A more centre focused character presentation would have worked better. The lighting design by Julie Washington did not illuminate some characters at times, putting them in gloom and needed more thought.
In house difficulties were caused by lifts not working 15 minutes before the performance, said by the House manager to be because the Stage manager was not ready. This meant that people were riding up and down in the lift, unable to exit at the the McCarthy level. This then led to the start time of the play being delayed by four minutes. The theatre is a whole working unit with each section relying on the other, so it does not start and finish with what goes on on the stage, all has to work efficiently.
So what has the audience learnt from tonight's play. It was excellent, the writing was clear, to the point, as well as being well plotted. The acting was excellent with clear diction that was delivered making it a pleasure to listen to its message, and that message was, “Everyone wants to escape”, but what will they find. Nice evening at the theatre, make an effort to see this play. © BA
Is there an Air Conditioning certificate prominently displayed in your theatre foyer stating the date of manufacture of the appliance and when the system was last inspected and serviced - if not, complain to the theatre management.
