RED SKIES OVER THE SEVERN: Woodman: Swan, Worcester, till 10 November

Worcester

RED SKIES OVER THE SEVERN: Lance Woodman
Swan, Worcester: Tkts 01905 27322
Runs: 2h 40m, one interval, till 10 November
Review: Rod Dungate, 25 November 2001

Passionate debates about the changing face of farming with some nasty chicken coming home to roost: a wry sense of humour

Lance Woodman's new play tackles head-on the debates surrounding the changing face of modern farming. He does it, however, within a domestic setting – a farming family isolated, not by geography, but by foot and mouth. In this way Woodman ensures his play has a beating heart.

The Shepherds have farmed their land for 200 years. Old John Shepherd, nearly 70, irascible, something of a bully and getting past it, must decide whether or not he will sign the farm over to his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Tempers rise and some very nasty chicken come home to roost. Their roosting is aided and abetted by Terry, a mature student of Rural Studies on a work placement on the farm. After layers are peeled away, the Shepherd house is seen to be built on sand.

Much of the meat of the play lies in the debates between John with his son Robert and Robert's wife Angela. Lennox Greaves's Robert is a man of great passion: Greaves shows Robert walking a tightrope and barely keeping his balance. For Robert the farm is all – 'We've farmed this land for 200 years: it's in our blood.' His wife, Angela, is a direct contrast: elegantly dressed and well spoken, for her 'real farming' is 'products: items in a ledger.' Tina Gray's Angela is tough but never heartless, she schemes, but out of necessity not greed.

Terry, the student, is Woodman's greatest invention here. Terry is a man who discovers, during lambing, he is a 'shit magnet' and then reveals things far worse – too terrible to mention (on a farm)!! Robin Simpson plays Terry with a quiet innocence and honesty. This unlikely character becomes real and the actor opens up some lovely humour.

Jenny Stephens, who directs, keeps the action rolling along and handles a tricky climax with confidence. She would do well, though, to persuade Woodman to drop some pointless interludes between a Norman and a Saxon. They do nothing to further the play's debate and waste valuable time.

Cast:
John: Paul Beech
Angela: Tina Gray
Robert: Lennox Greaves
Cath: Polly Lister
Terry: Robin Simpson
Young Boy: Samuel Cole/ Edward Neale
The Norman: Peter Baio
The Saxon: Derek Chaplin

Director: Jenny Stephens
Design: Keith Baker
Lighting: Adrian Barnes

2001-10-26 09:46:44