NIGHT SWIMMING. Nuffield Theatre to 2 March.
Southampton
NIGHT SWIMMING
by Mark Castle
Nuffield Theatre To 2 March 2002
Runs 2 hr One interval
TICKETS 023 8067 1771
Review Hazel Brown 7 February
New play by local playwright brings low level street life under the dramatic spotlightMark Castle, a former member of the Nuffield Theatre Writers' Group, has a fine ear for the dialogue of ordinary people. Dippy, played by Matthew Cullum, is a likeable, dim lad who works for Damian Myerscough's Nick the Leg, selling ecstasy and other drugs. Dippy needs as much cash as he can grub together as he is about to become a father. Jane, his girlfriend, played with down to earth charm by Emma Cleasby, wants nothing to do with any of it; she wants the drugs out of the flat before the baby arrives.
In one memorable scene, Dippy is laboriously counting out 'E's' on the kitchen table, while Jane tries to persuade him to give it all up. The deep affection between this disaffected pair is very moving. She is even touched by his attempts to get fit to be a proper dad – breaking into a health club to swim each night.
Nick the Leg lives with his girlfriend Angie, in a flat that is the epitome of working class chic - white leather sofa, Dyson vacuum cleaner, mini-system, latest telly – with discarded clothes and drugged friends and a feisty 10 year old drug runner, Robbie. Nick makes Dippy an offer he can't refuse and pulls him into his latest scam. Then there is mad Brian 'poking a wall' like someone in a gameshow, extinguishing lights while expounding philosophical theories.
In a recurring scene that seems to have little relevance to the action, Frank, a sinister gangster, threatens a hooded man tied to a post. It is not until the very end of the play that all the strands are brought to a dramatic and tragic conclusion. On a high raked stage, sparingly decorated with minimal props and scenery, this picture of life on the margins of society is played out with great skill.
Douglas (Dippy): Matthew Cullum
Jane: Emma Cleasby
Angie/The Doctor: Emma Pike
Nick the Leg: Damian Myerscough
Frank: Alastair Danson
Brian: Granville Saxton
Robbie: Paul Ainsworth/ Lee Mingay/ David Slattery
Farout: Carl Selby
Director: Patrick Sandford
Designer: Juliet Shillingford
Lighting: Jenny Cane
Sound: Rod Mead
2002-02-18 15:31:38