UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL - touring till 6 November
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Swan Playwrights
Runs: till 6 November, one interval
Venues: see www.swanplaywrights.org.uk
Review: Rod Dungate, 29 October 2005, The Rose, Kidderminster
A varied evening of personal stories
Swan Playwrights is an enterprising group of writers based in the West Midlands. They present a varied on-going programme of work. UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL is a series of monologues – through the word is treated flexibly to achieve a varied programme.
There are 11 items in the programme which holds together surprisingly well. It could do with losing one or two items though. Writing quality is varied, but this isn't the reason for lopping, it's just that it's genuinely hard to sustain attention.
The programme gets off to a lively start with BUDDHA BOY by Tom Bryson. This is quite a shock to the system as we realise we're listening not to a person, but a dog; a delightful dog as played by Paul Merrell, but one who, of an edgy disposition, is in for a spot of therapy. But sex rears its beautiful head and Buddha Boy and owner settle down to married bliss with the therapist's dog and therapist and live, we assume, happily ever after.
Martin Drury's ISN'T HE LOVELY? scores in a major way as being the only monologue in which we come to understand more about the character than the character does about themselves. Drury's writing is sharp and acutely observed as Ali (Laurie Pollitt) reveals the complexities of her loves and family – and their loves. Spinning towards a surprisingly happy ending, Drury suddenly pushes his play towards an implied unsettlingly dark one. Pollitt handles the script well and embraces us into her story.
A general criticism elsewhere is that the actors are not encouraged to talk to us – to draw us into their world. Too often we are in the position of eavesdroppers on their thoughts: we are distanced from the actions and struggle to move beyond disinterested bystanders to the dramas.
Nowhere could this be clearer than in Martyn Brigg's otherwise beautifully conceived performance of the Yugoslavia war journalist; Briggs presents us with a man destroyed by a terrible event. In Ian Kendall's tough script the turn of events that provides the plot is surprising and terrible . . . and worse – believable. A few lines chopped from the end would strengthen the shock and leave an even more lasting impression. Kendall's script is quiet, reflective, up close and personal.
A delightful lighter touch is Anne Bucknall's NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH. A witty story of sex and subterfuge, Bucknall catches a chatty-gossipy tone excellently. She's ably aided and abetted by her performers, Val Harrison and Dympna Jardine in their just-ever-so-slightly grotesque characterisations. I'm just glad I don't live in their street!
Full details of Swan Playwright's programmes and activities can be seen on their website – www.swanplaywrights.org.uk.
The Pieces
BUDDHA BOY: Tom Bryson
Buddha Boy: Paul Merrell
Penny: Lucy Gutteridge
A DEATH IN IRAQ: Tom Bryson and Rose Miller
Robert: Martyn Briggs
Sarah: Val Harrison
WHY BOTHER?: Dympna Jardine
Actor: Dennis Beasley
THE BIG PICTURE: Ali Oxtoby
Maggie: Dympna Jardine
BEHIND THE CURTAIN: Pam Yarwood
Mo: Maureen Oakley
Pete: Paul Merrell
ISN'T HE LOVELY?: Martin Drury
Ali: Laurie Pollitt
HOT IN THE CITY: David Keyworth
Clubber: Edward Steelefox
Matt: Simon Ravenhill
Angela: Marika Farr
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: Anne Bucknall
Phyllis: Val Harrison
Zandra: Dympna Jardine
SARAJEVO SUNDAY: Ian Kendall
Man: Martyn Briggs
Sniper: Paul Merrell
INCONCEIVABLE: Martin Drury
Dick: Simon Ravenhill
Dancer 1: Lucy Gutteridge
Dancer 2: Laurie Pollitt
THE PRINCIPAL'S DAUGHTER: Dympna Jardine
Woman: Maureen Oakley
FRAGMENTS FROM AN EMPTY SPACE: Paul Merrell
Voice 1: Edward Steelefox
Voice 2: Dympna Jardine
Voice 3: Lucy Gutteridge
Voice 4: Dennis Beasley
THERE'S NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD TROUT: Ian Kendall
Trout: Vicky Constable
(This one was not performed the evening I reviewed due to illness.)
Director: Dympna Jardine
Dramaturgs: Martin Drury and Dympna Jardine
Lighting: Neil Radford
Sound: Roby McGilvray
2005-10-29 13:04:49