MAN ACROSS THE WAY. To 15 September.
Edinburgh 2007 Fringe/London.
MAN ACROSS THE WAY.
by Oliver Emanuel.
Underbelly, 56 Cowgate To 26 August 2007.
Everyday. 4pm
Runs 1hr. No interval.
TICKETS. 0870 745 3083 or Fringe BO 0131 226 0000.
www.silvertongue.org.uk
then Theatre 502 503 Battersea Park Road London SW11 3BW To 15 September 2007.
Tue-Sat 8pm Sun 5pm.
TICKETS: 020 7978 7040.
www.theatre503.com (London).
Review Thelma Good 15 August 2007.
Effectively holds back from pointing the finger.
Oliver Emmanuel’s new play is set in Glasgow where a policeman, Dougie, is learning about surveillance from his older colleague Fraser Wilkie. At the back of the stage we see the Man. He tells us he’s a pharmacist from a long line of pharmacists, but it becomes clear the police intelligence says he’s one to be watched. Also on stage is Sal Wilke. The scenes slip between the stake-out, the Frasers' home and the Man’s room.
Fraser’s married but his semi-secret duties mean his wife is finding it increasingly hard to relate to him. Dougie is thinking of going to Iraq to help train their policemen. The story switches back and forth. A series of bombs go off in the city and Sal finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fraser takes advantage of the resulting chaos to do a bit of extra checking out.
Dougie remarks that the Police Act of 1967 says, “By long tradition, one of the duties of a police officer is to befriend anyone who needs their help and to cope with any emergencies that may arise.” Emmanuel’s play effectively holds back from pointing the finger, so we never know if the Man is entirely innocent or not.
There’s insight into how modern policing and pressures from politicians make it so hard to develop or maintain trust between the police and the public. The acting and Daniel Bye's direction for England's Silver Tongue Theatre Company keep the tension of not knowing too much and leave you wondering if we ever can feel safer and closer again.
Dougie Campbell: John Milroy.
Sal Wilkie: Harriette Quarrie.
Man: Nicholas Cowell.
Fraser Wilkie: Grae Cleugh.
Director: Daniel Bye.
Designer: Barney George .
Lighting: Ben Pacey.
Sound: Heather Fenoughty.
Man Across the Way, with Oliver Emmanuel's Magpie Park, is published by Oberon Books.
2007-08-20 09:29:04