THE STONES. To 3 April.

Young People

THE STONES
by Tom Lycos and Stefo Nantsou

Travelling Light Theatre Company Tour to 3 April 2003
Runs 50min + discussion Total 1hr 30min
Review: Timothy Ramsden 11 March at Warwick Arts Centre

Life provides the story and the verdict; theatre provides the excitement and pause for thought.It happened in Australia. It happens across Britain, according to police accounts researched by Travelling Light. Youths on bridges throw stones on those below. Pedestrians and drivers alike are targets; this show for over-12s probes the punishment as much as the crime.

15-year old Yahoo gives the noisy lead; 13-year old Shy Boy always follows, after brief, weak protests. But it's the younger lad who kicks the stone that smashes the windscreen that kills the driver that leaves the widow who sits in court. Much of the script's functional, hardly living up to the visceral thrill of the opening - the pair emerge from a techno-backed stand-off rap and acrobatic leaps across Katie Sykes' restlessly abstract multi-purpose set. Life is a matter of the moment.

They aimlessly 'progress' from minor theft – modern security far outclassing them – then pick up rocks during a rare lull in their hectic activity (the background beat melting to a glassy whine), resting in a quarry. If it's with any purpose, it's to chuck them at the garage where their petty theft failed.

So a motorway death comes accidentally. Lycos and Nantsou spread the talking-points well. Yahoo, in name and Paul Dodds' performance the less sympathetic, is increasingly seen against his family background. Mother leaves him an extra night in the cells, then tries packing him off to a private school, before parking him on an unsympathetic uncle.

Their script most comes alive exploring Shy Boy's conscience. He turns himself – and his friend – in, then has guilt-dreams about betrayal. Most regrettable are the direly unconvincing sub-copshow policemen as whom the players gamely double.

There's a gradual deceleration throughout Greg Banks's production which serves the play well. Out of thoughtlessly whizzing excitement comes eventual reflection; despite the court verdict – one of the subjects taken up in the post-show discussion – the brakes have screamed on in the stone-kickers' lives. It makes you think.

Yahoo/Russell: Paul Dodds
Shy Boy/Quinn: Daniel Poyser

Director: Greg Banks
Designer: Katie Sykes
Composer/Musical Director: Stu Barker

2003-03-12 00:33:48