Review by: Paul Towers, 06 March 2018
The Changing Room by Chris Bush and Shooting Truth by
Molly Davies
Directed by Paul Rogers & Kieran Vyas respectively
A Made at Curve production in conjunction with National
Theatre Connections
Curve Studio 6 –
7 March 2017
“immensely talented youngsters”
This was a double bill of productions under the umbrella of
the National Theatre Connections initiative which is one of the UK’s largest
celebrations of youth theatre whereby plays are commissioned for and about
young people by contemporary playwrights .These plays are then performed in
schools and theatre groups all over UK and Ireland by young performers.
The Changing Room was the more contemporary and experimental
piece. Set in and around a swimming
pool, the accomplished ensemble cast attempted to vocalise through spoken word
and song what it is to be a teenager on the brink of adulthood. Each actor was
given a chance to shine with various frustrating moans about being
misunderstood. At the same time they were trying to elbow their way into a
place in their society. As everyone who has gone through that (and we all did)
it is a very confusing phase in life. But, we do all come out the other side
and, in retrospect, the angst is worth it.
Each and every one of those on stage gave 100% and,
considering this was their first public performance, did a great job.
Shooting Truth was completely different. Taking some
inspiration from The Blair Witch Project this was a clever blend of past and
present as a school film crew set out to make a movie about a witch called
Freya from the 17th century. The present was frequently funny while
the past got progressively scary as bigotry reared its ugly head.
As the tale progressed past and present got more and more
entangled until they clashed horrifically. Once again the talented cast
(completely different from the first piece) were terrific, especially the lad
that played the film director.
Again Curve Young Company have proved what an immensely talented
young community Curve continues to nurture.
First published on Western Gazette
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