This is not a two act play. The first act is padded with video screen shots, reggae, poetry and dance, whilst showing how the author Sol B. River thinks the average male behaves. The three males revolve round talk of women, beer and a playstation focused on football, whilst the mobile phone is constantly ringing to reveal text messages. One of these messages is what act two is about and supplies the basis for the plot of this play dealing with trust and child abuse.

The play begins in act two, after the interval, when a number of empty seats appear in the auditorium, vacated by people who could not stomach any more of the foul language relating to sexual pleasures related by the cast. Then suddenly the tone of the play changed and turned into a play with a message worth watching for those who remained. A wrong number text message, received by Hoe (Neil Reidman), sent by someone in distress sets off a train of events. Hoe, shaken out of his usual way of thinking, is aroused to find out who sent the message. His companions Beeves (David Carr) and Shun (David Webber) with woman troubles, go through encounters involving poetry, song and dance with their girls Yazza (Troy Titus-Adams) and Kat (Dalsy Beaumont) as they interact with the plot and change their stance. What Hoe finds shocks him into action as he encounters Louise, played with feeling and great sympathy from the audience by Zoe Thorne, and her father (Ian Mercer). The outcome is a surprise to all, and original.

Joe Williams directs a play with a difficult subject and Emma Williams supplied a set design of video screen compartments which complimented what was required. Those of the audience who stayed witnessed an interesting play marred by the first act. © BA

“Two Tracks and Text Me” is in Leeds on the 10th October to the 1st November, 2003.