ONLY A MATTER OF TIME: to 23rd March 2002

Newbury

ONLY A MATTER OF TIME
by Alan Plater.

Watermill Theatre To 23 March 2002
Runs 1hr 45 minutes. One interval

TICKETS 01635 46044
Review Mark Courtice 19 February

Entertaining accounting of the price of progress
The targets Plater takes a swipe at in this entertaining play include e-mail, the Irish, lawyers, the Welsh, leisure centres, the English, privatised railways, mobile phones and the slow business of government making up its mind - leaving aside the meat of the play which considers the damage that progress wreaks not only on the “mere peasants” on which it is visited, but also on the rational empire builders who are its champions. Something for everyone here, then.

Two men meet at the Welsh borders as the railway builders push across the country; while one explains that the clock will take over from the sun to tell the time (as the railways cannot cope with a Welsh time 11 minutes behind that of London), the other knows too well the pain that is being suffered by the workers as the price of progress. In act two their descendants meet again in present times when some of the seeds sown in the 1840s have come to fruition.

The ideas here are fascinating, we want to understand the truth of progress and reaction, to feel the cyclical nature of the endless battle between the two; but this play shows its radio roots, as Meredith and Fanshawe do no more than just talk (albeit with some good gags) about these things and we do not get a chance to see or experience anything of significance.

Director John Doyle makes great productions of musicals at this address, but this seems underpowered, with direction, set, and lighting failing to provide anything to look at that is not functional - missing out on giving the arguments theatrical vitality.

Both actors seem to be trying to make up this defecit with lots of energy. Brendan O’Hea is able to revel in the quality of the writing, particularly when the better jokes come in act two. Simon Walter is the very model of a consultant whether dressed in Armani or frock coat. Both convince us they are talking about something that matters. But I just wish they would do more.......

Meredith: Brendan O’Hea
Fanshawe: Simon Walter

Director: John Doyle
Design: Dawn Allsop
Lighting: Wayne Dowdeswell

2002-02-22 18:54:45