I am not sure Alistair McDowall’s is a “brilliant play“ as the director Ed Madden says, but it is an interesting play. It lasts about 50 minutes and it is written for young people, which mean that young people can relate to its message and give some tremendous performances. Within a young company like this, some of actors are natural performers and some are less good, but thanks to the direction and the commitment of the company, the overall effect is one of strength and power. The actors were always relating to the audience and delivering their lines in a dramatic, but at the same time, naturalistic fashion.
The play is set over the course of one day in what we gradually discover is a sort of post apocalyptic prison camp. As the action moves on, we find the inmates are planning something. At the Tobacco Factory, the company has to use the set from Macbeth with the shredded rubber covering the stage and the strident sound effects, but it works well for this production too. The camp is definitely not a holiday camp. The soft rubber flooring doesn’t make things easy for the actors but they managed it incredibly well. There are some very funny bits in the play, for example one character who talks and talks. Eventually her nearly silent companion asks her why she is has the punishment of dirt duty, and she replies ‘ for talking too much’. There are some tender moments when the inmates relate to one another in a supportive way. But also there are darker moments when the group of young people is cruel and vindictive, reminiscent of Lord of the Flies. But these children are not animalistic; they are idealistic. At the same time we see that idealists can also be loose their humanity, becoming brutal and domineering, some being more equal than others.
What is astounding is that this company put this together in a term; only about ten rehearsals. The lines were delivered perfectly. The cues were on time and the pace was terrific. I am sure this is partly due to the excellent direction but you also get the feeling that this is a very committed group of young people who are determined to put on a great show. No individual can be picked out, because it is an ensemble piece, but there were some excellent performances backed up by good production, lighting and sound.
The group can take pride in what they have created which is what Ed Madden said they wanted to do. ★★★★☆ Keith Erskine 27th March 2018
