CLEARING THE COLOURS. To 31 August.

Scarborough

CLEARING THE COLOURS
by James Vollmar

Stephen Joseph Theatre (Restaurant) In rept to 31 August 2005

1.10pm
Runs 45min No interval
Review: Timothy Ramsden 31 August

Fine-spun lunchtime drama excellently played.Summer lunchtimes shows at Scarborough have been a good way to bring on new writers and directors, using members of the main acting company, who are experienced advocates for the new work. Here some highly experienced Ayckbourn players are beautifully directed by Kate Saxon on a a split set laid-out amid the tables of the theatre's restaurant.

James Vollmar's concerntrated yet lightly elusive play deserves their attention. A career-minded young snooker-star of te future is introduced by his local agent to a seaside landlady with a sideline in spiritual healing.Young Danny, keen to win, race greyhounds and get into the bigtime, finds the exercies embarrassing and pointless. What gives the play its impact is the way that, without becoming over-explicit, Vollmar gives each of his 3 characters independent reality, while making each believable in the round.

Eileen Battye brings a down-to-earth reality to her spiritual gift, a depth of feeling under a lightness of manner. John Branwell's George is still keen enough to be angry when his best client deserts him, but is well-enough on to accept reality and be as concerned for the wrong turn into glamour and image young Danny may be taking rather than for his own loss.

And Neil Grainger expresses youthful impatience with the old, small-town people in a sympathetic way, consideration for others recurring amid his youthful vision of a fine future for himself. His new (unseen) agent's concern with image is woeful yet inevitable, George's concern for reality over image admirable yet the loser in any battle of an image-obsessed age.

It's in balancing these new and old worlds that Vollmar's drama, light yet not slight, shows its skill.

Dora: Eileen Battye
George: John Branwell
Danny: Neil Grainger

Director: Kate Saxon
Designer: Pip Leckenby
Sound: Matt Roper

2005-08-31 15:26:09