UK Theatre Network

A cracking one act comedy.

A well directed, superbly acted comedy romp.

The play, about a down on his luck tramp called Stanley, is set in Brighton and is told in merely one act. When Tim, a hapless Londoner who has come to Brighton for a conference asks Stanley for directions the twists and turns of the night lead to chaos, mayhem and illegal activity. With a well written, tight script the play runs at a very good pace reaching to a satisfying conclusion. All of the audience loved this play. The writing is golden. I was a fan of the writers , Warren Drew's, previous work, The Common Good. So I did expect good things.

It has some cracking one liners including this: 'Tim - UK Gold is now called Dave...because everyone knows someone called Dave. Stanley - They should have called it c***. Everyone knows one of them!'

So perhaps to not go if you are easily offended. If however, you want to see a cracking play that you will laugh all the way through then go see this when it transfers to the West End.

Leaves you wanting more.

Four stars.

 

 

The Common Good. At The Roundhouse Theatre. Part of The Camden Fringe.

Going to see a play about Chernobyl may not be first on most people's lists. However, theatre is about storytelling and as stories go, Chernobyl is tragic and compelling. It is one of the most important stories that must be told to every generation. It is also sometimes hard to believe that, yes, it really did happen.

So, did this play live up to it's subject manner? Yes. It was skillfully written. Evoking the time and place beautifully.All of the actors did the writing justice. However, my only criticism is that none of the actors do accents. I sometimes felt that if the actors did Ukrainian accents etc that they would bring you further in.

The story is sad. Could it be anything else? Prostitutes, dying people, children cursed from birth. This play was poignant with killer lines. At one point one of the soldiers is interviewed and asked how, as an atheist, he can speak of God. His answer was that 'we live in Hell'  Later on we find he studied Theology. The play is full of these little twists and plot points. It has great points on morality.

I recommend you go and see this well-directed, beautifully written play. 

All proceeds from the play will be donated to the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline.