UK Theatre Network

Talking Tom

The Customs House, South Shields

The latest production of The Customs House’s fifteenth anniversary celebratory season is Talking Tom, a series of monologues by Jarrow-born playwright Tom Kelly, performed by Pat Dunn and Donald McBride.

Firstly, we are introduced to Elsie, an elderly spinster who loathes smoking and drinking but who is looking for love and is desperate to ensnare the new male resident at the care home where she lives. In Elsie and Elsie Rides Again, Pat Dunn peels back the layers of Elsie’s personality perfectly and skilfully reveals the rather predatory monster that lies hidden beneath.

Next we meet The Club Doorman, a curmudgeonly old duffer, played by Donald McBride, who keeps the door at the CIU-affiliated working men’s club and who knows everyone’s business. What he doesn’t know is the effect that his moaning, groaning and general nastiness is having upon his long-suffering family.

McBride’s second character is the nosey neighbour from hell in Neighbourhood Watch. Shunned by all in the street because of his interfering, snooping and spying, he leads a lonely, empty and isolated existence, but is on duty twenty four hours a day, nevertheless.

The monologues are interspersed with readings from the playwright himself, in which he reflects upon his youth and the music and events that defined it, resulting in some spontaneous singing-along from the audience.

Each of Kelly’s characters has been penned with honesty and perception and they are so real, so familiar that they almost leap from the page. The dialogue is witty, natural and believable and it captures the extraordinariness of the ordinary to great effect. The performances from Pat Dunn and Donald McBride are faultless, the characterisations have been acutely observed, finely honed and are sharply delivered.

Talking Tom is a gem of a production that comes with the highest of recommendations.

STEVE BURBRIDGE.

Runs until Saturday 20^th March 2010.