HEAD/ CASE, till 23 October

Belgrade, Coventry

HEAD/ CASE: Ron Hutchinson
Belgrade 20-23 October
Tkts: 024 7655 3055
Runs: 1h 50m, one interval
Review: Rod Dungate, 21 October 2004

Marvellous. Absolutely marvellous. Absolutely bloody marvellous.Working with a group of youngsters recently I happened to say 'I love words'. One lad, who presented some symptoms of Asperger's, responded by saying I must be speaking ironically. When I prompted him further he explained: 'Anyone who says they love words must either be ironic or mad.' Well, I wasn't being ironic so . . .

Somehow this seems to be at the centre of Ron Hutchinson's stunning play. We define the world around us with words we fix it in place, give it meaning. If we can't name things, we can't fit into the world. As compulsive talker Tracy says, 'The word for shoes is shoes'. But as she also says, the word isn't real, at least not as real in the same way as the thing itself. Tracy's problem is that she cannot fix her own self, her own reality. Her name doesn't seem to name her self.

Irish Tracy is recovering from a head injury caused by a brick thrown at her. She shares a room with newcomer Englishwoman Julia she damaged her head in a car accident. With deceptive ease Hutchinson contrasts them in every way physically, vocally, emotionally, intellectually; it's great writing. Two women, endeavouring to communicate with language which is the one thing no longer theirs to control.

Claire Cogan's Tracy is a hurricane of a performance; but despite the ferocity of her performance, she never loses us for a second. We talk with her, breathe with her, sit and stand with her. Sarah Cattle's Julia is a perfect complement. Julia may not be able to feel anything, but, my god, Cattle makes sure we feel for her. The result is two vulnerable beings groping their way through a shared mental peasouper of unbearable proportions.

Much talented Jonjo O'Neill completes this wonderful trio. His warmth is comfort to us all; he achieves a character who is real though we sense unreal. And when we know he's unreal, he feels all the more real. This play is rich in such contradictions.

Caroline Hunt's production is spot on; she has ensured a taxing pace that enables us to experience the frustration, intensity and pain of these characters. Fortunately for us, we do it from the comfort of our auditorium seats.

Tracy: Claire Cogan
Julia: Sarah Cattle
Jimmy: Jonjo O'Neill

Director: Caroline Hunt
Designer: Tom Piper
Composer: John O'Hara
Lighting Designer: Ben Ormerod
Movement: Kevin Walton
Producer: Jane Hytch
Assistant Director: Lucy Taylor

2004-10-22 10:17:48