THE POOL - CITY OF CULTURE? To 21 April.

London

THE POOL – CITY OF CULTURE?
by James Brough and Helen Elizabeth

Arts Theatre Great Newport Street WC2H 7JB To 21 April 2007
Wed – Sat 7.30pm
Runs 1hr 10min No interval

TICKETS: 0870 060 1742
Review: Harriet Davis 12 April

Good enough at its best, but not at its best often enough.
In 2006, James Brough and Helen Elizabeth won a Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival. They have since started writing for Hollyoaks. Despite flashes of sincerity, there are certainly moments in this modest two-hander which feel decidedly soap-like.

Brough plays cocky, cockney Londoner David, who – lost in Liverpool - manages to persuade feisty scouser Tina (Elizabeth) to spend the day with him. The play unravels much as we might expect, with a predictable will they/won’t they dynamic, only partially redeemed by convincing dialogue. Sadly, this is undermined by a series of audience-address monologues written, cringingly, in rhyming couplets.

As the play progresses, various skeletons are unearthed. Tina, who had an abortion at fourteen, and has avoided relationships ever since, spends much of her time
caring both for her younger brother (who suffers with Downs Syndrome) and her dependent grandmother, for whom she feels wholly responsible. David is also a carer – although he takes the role far less seriously – and lives with his mother, who has a long history of depression.

Brough and Elizabeth, who created the piece from scratch, give evenly-matched performances. Brough takes slightly longer to settle into the role, and struggles with the scenes involving conflict. He seems more comfortable with humour; which he uses to full advantage. However, the heavier scenes feel laboured, and the constant monologues are a poor substitute for character interaction.

Despite this, there are a few touching moments. Tina gives David an enthusiastic tour of the city, creating a genuine sense of what it was like to grow up there. In return, David takes Tina to the pub, treating her – and us – to a few jokes. This is when the writing is at its strongest: warm, affectionate, knowing. It is a shame that we are only given glimpses of such material.

David: James Brough
Tina: Helen Elizabeth

2007-04-16 00:09:34