THEATRE 
REVIEWS
Electricity
West Yorkshire Playhouse
Leeds
ENGLAND
An Essex who ?
Murray Gold obviously had trouble with decorators and decided to write a comedy about their goings on. All you have to do is research the subject, get your facts right, if you can, and away you go. Set it in London with the sound of drums and singing from your Catalonian neighbours coming in through the walls, invite three work shy men to do the work where the owner is a neurotic girl who suffers from lapses into sexual fantasy with anyone she fancies, add a city type who pursues her and have an explosive mix.
Patrick Brennan gets on with it
Director Ian Brown gives his interpretation of the script, set against designer Ruari Murchison’s imaginative backdrop, spoilt only by lighting designer Tim Mitchell’s forward facing lights. A thick, loud mouthed Essex workman, in the cleanest overalls you have ever seen, enters and tries to get to grips with the local accent. This is Jakey played by Christopher Eccleston, who tries to protect his not too bright son Bizzy, played by Oliver Wood, as they try to avoid doing as much work as possible for their boss Leo, played by Patrick Brennan, who is answerable to the owner Katherine played by Sophie Ward. A city motivated follower, Michael, played by Andrew Scarborough, tries to get the job finished by a date whilst pursuing his fancy. Leave an electric wire sticking live from a wall and something is sure to happen as the sparks fly.
You will see the set uncovered as the work is eventually finished, but that is not the end of this evening at the theatre which the audience sat and experienced. The play will mean something different to everyone who watches, as some actors get more from their part than others, as the elecricty flashes between them. It will put you off employing workman, but you will get a laugh at their expense. © BA
“Electricity” is in Leeds on the 26th March, 2004 to the 24th April, 2004.
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