YEAR 10. To 16 July.
London
YEAR 10
by Simon Vinnicombe
Finborough Theatre To 16 July 2005
Tue-Sat 37.30pm Sun 3.30pn
Runs 2hr One interval
TICKETS: 0870 4000 838 (24 hours)
www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 3 July
Concrete, blackboard jungle from a revealing angle.Year 10' sounds like the culmination of some grand plan of action. But for the less motivated 14-15 year olds in Britain's schools, Year 10 (the secondary 4th form' as was) is another year of waiting for release, while more interested students turn their attention to the first year of GCSEs.
In some schools, such as the London setting of Simon Vinnicombe's new play, concrete and wire-mesh grounds as shown in Dinah England's bleak design, become virtual gangland territory. As Vinnicombe shows, this isn't because Year 10s are filled with gangsters. But weakness, fear and purposelessness make people attach to a playground leader who offers violence and a sense of belonging.
Here, that's Wes (a threatening, brink-of-explosion Bradley Gardner), whose unpredictable, malicious game-playing with his victims is itself the outcome of a deep sense of failure. The louder he shouts for Chelsea the more it's clear he's no footballer, unlike new boy Jack, unwillingly moving to a new school when his parents separate.
Despite - or because of - his sports prowess Jack becomes Wes's victim: failure never enjoys looking at success. But Jack's also dealing with adolescent rebelliousness (we first see him arguing with his mother over new shoes), his parents' split-up and guilt over behaviour to his brother Tom. It's hardly surprising depression moves towards suicidal despair.
Vinnicombe shows his school in a society that sends its police cars to protect the aggressor. When a teacher (the hearty, hopeful Peter Pacey) momentarily loses his temper, having broken up a bullying attack, been spat at and insulted himself, by lashing out at the bully, he loses his job.
Max Key's production builds towards its violent climax, presenting issues clearly. If the older generation, mother and teacher, stay on the sidelines (their possible relationship even more so), it's no bad thing the play's focus goes where the title says. With Gunnar Cauthery's Jack trying to stick to his values and make peace, plus an ace performance from Jenny Gleave, showing a kind nature protecting itself with a tough, word-clipping teenage exterior, this is a fine, well-considered addition to school-life drama.
Jack: Gunnar Cauthery
Susan: Karren Winchester
Jamie: Jenny Gleave
Ricky: Brogan West
Wes: Bradley Gardner
Jon: Paul Child
Mr Vickory: Peter Pacey
Director: Max Key
Designer: Dinah England
Lighting: Prema Mehta
Sound: Matt Downing
2005-07-11 06:21:14