THE RETURN. To 26 November.
London.
THE RETURN
by Reg Cribb.
Old Red Lion 418 St John Street EC1 To 26 November 2005.
Tue-Sun 8pm.
Runs 1hr 15min No interval.
TICKETS: 020 7837 7816.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 6 November.
One way ticket to terror and revenge.
It could be an advantage, watching Australian Reg Cribb’s concentrated drama, to know that country’s rail system; specifically the Perth/Freemantle line. For it’s there, late-night, during a rail security-guard strike, 2 young men harass a smart young woman. Cribb provides a common enough pairing: Trevor (Will Irvine, animalistic in stance and sudden violent movements) the follower, Steve more controlled and menacing in command, someone who switches manner in a moment. Corporate law student Lisa tries ignoring them, then mixes defiance with attempts at reason. Later, they’re joined by Maureen, on a late-night flit from her unhappy marriage, and the silent Simon, writing away in a corner, helping no-one.
So far, so urban grim reality. But Cribb has more in mind, bringing these people together. There’s a hidden agenda or two, demanding more dollops of suspended disbelief as it unravels. The difficulty, in John-Paul Cherrington’s production, is that the contriver of the situation doesn’t ultimately carry the conviction to make his motivation credible. This keeps the red-herrings swimming around for some time, but makes the later gun-point diplomacy hard to credit.
Two characters really matter. Steve, despite an unconvincing Apache arm-tattoo, is given a blazing performance by Alistair Scott-Young. Revelation and cover-up combine in his lean-limbed, sharp-featured aggression, corralled for moments at a time as he manoeuvres a situation or builds menace through momentary calm - all contrasting his final revelation.
Then there’s Elizabeth Elvin’s Maureen, the oldest character, in many ways a bystander to the plot (though she’s sitting much of the time). Other characters earn the play its title by returning to their past. She’s the one to take the late train home after what she witnesses. Elvin shows the character’s strength, interrupting the young men’s intimidation of Lisa. Other members of this Birmingham Stage Company production provide decent support. Cribb doesn’t quite bring off his plot twists, but the play’s well-constructed, each station with its opening train doors offering the prospect of escape, the different responses to that chance being neatly varied. Not the journey of a lifetime, perhaps, but a ticket to ride’s well worth while.
Steve: Alistair Scott-Young.
Trev: Will Irvine.
Maureen: Elizabeth Elvin.
Lisa: Natasha Beaumont.
Simon: Neal Foster.
Director: John-Paul Cherrington.
Designer: Isabel Munoz.
Lighting: Jo Dawson.
Sound: David Loughran.
Movement: Janine Buttle.
2005-11-09 15:10:04