FOOD CHAIN. To 12 July.
London
FOOD CHAIN
by Mick Mahoney
Royal Court (Jerwood Theatre Upstairs) To 12 July 2003
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat Sat 4pm
Runs 1hr 30min No interval
TICKETS: 020 7565 5000
Review: Timothy Ramsden 5 July
A piece stocked with well-intentioned people, expert dialogue, a fine production yet somehow something's missing.Designer Ti Green's worked hard to give domestic shape yet an anonymous feel to the Theatre Upstairs open doorways and angled, black walls. It fits Mick Mahoney's new play all too well. It's fascinating without becoming involving; fluent but slipping down without any strong taste.
It starts with the teenagers. Jamie's mouthy, arrogant sending mother to fetch his smart shirt from upstairs. 'Cos he's the kid with street-cred, snatched up by TV to play teenage stereotypes Sid Mitchell gives a devastatingly accurate compilation of them. His fast-life's contrasted with fellow-teenage Jamie, first seen sitting alone, playing his Gameboy.
It's Jamie's reference to his, obviously separated, Dad that moves the action towards the adults. Carol's full of friendly confidence towards Jamie's mum Emma - Carol and husband Tony having taken Emma under their wing - though, through a discovery handled in a way suggesting plot development isn't Mahoney's strong point, it emerges they (like their son) are not as high up the human food-chain as they'd assumed.
Mahoney does dialogue supremely well: especially the quick-talk of direct, lively, unsubtle minds. Anna Mackmin's cast handle it magnificently. Her direction points up character; Claire Rushbrook catches Emma's social origins in her smooth voice, contrasting Linda Robson's kind-hearted, rougher-paced speech.
And when Jamie's Dad arrives, bringing his own secret (not much developed), Justin Salinger's relaxed, been-through-it-all manner sets off Paul Ritter's quick-paced patter beautifully.
Among this outstanding cast Ritter's Tony - the taxi-driver who can't stand his Fares' chat - is a remarkable performance, a fast ride from confidence. Initially, his speedy, always clear, speech portrays someone used to fixing things, with the ease that plentiful money gives. Sitting on his sofa, or perching comfortably, legs extended, on a chair-arm, he's every bit the confident controller.
But the temperament that sees him forever ditching jobs, cushioned by property-based income, is knocked as the truth about apparently impoverished Emma no money for a taxi, ironically and the trouble Jamie's lifestyle brings, tumble onto him in late-scene revelations.
It's just that, somehow, the piece seems for all the sense of slice-of-life verite - material for a play rather than,quite, the done thing.
Billy: Calum Callaghan
Jamie: Sid Mitchell
Carol: Linda Robson
Emma: Claire Rushbrook
Tony: Paul Ritter
Nat: Justin Salinger
Director: Anna Mackmin
Designer: Ti Green
Lighting: Johanna Town
Sound: Emma Laxton
Fight director: Terry King
Choreographer: Scarlett Mackmin
2003-07-06 22:58:46