THE PRESENT        

COCK TAVERN THEATRE, KILBURN

Following it’s tradition of revisiting forgotten plays by modern writers, Kilburn’s dynamic fringe theatre, the Cock Tavern, offers a hearty resurrection of Nick Ward’s drama The Present.

The play was last performed at the Bush in 1995, and this revival by Good Night Out productions is almost faultless. Set in 1980 just after the assassination of John Lennon, Danny a British teenager arrives in Australia in search of adventure. He finds lodgings and work with Michael, a Nietzsche obsessed throw-back to the 1960’s, who introduces him to the world of sex, drugs and hippy art.  Michael borders on the pathological, and his associates Becky and Libby are not far behind him in the off-the-wall stakes, providing unpredictable company for the naïve newcomer.

The stark white painted set is indicative of a mental asylum, and is the perfect backdrop for the bizarre behaviour of Ward’s characters. Adam- Speadbury-Maher’s focused direction keeps the drama moving at a pace, and the carefully selected choice of Lennon’s songs works perfectly as a soundscape for the piece

Nathan Godkin is outstanding as the on-the-edge control freak Michael, and Sophie Brabenec gives a lovely, layered performance as the amnesic, vulnerable artist Libby. Shelly Lang is impressive as the man devouring Becky.

Ward’s poetic and colourful language is a treat for the ears, although towards the end of the play the themes become over-repetitive and he seems to be trying too hard to make his point.

This production continues to prove that the Cock Tavern is a valuable asset to North London’s theatre land. This is a gift not to be missed.

OLIVER VALENTINE                    www.cocktaverntheatre.com