November 23, 2006
I suspect that Tom Campion is going to develop into a very impressive playwright - one almost certain to feature on stages round the UK and possibly the world. This, the third play of his to receive an Oxford production, is a remarkably accomplished piece of work for someone of his years.
It tackles issues of memory, medical ethics, deception, sexual manipulation and many other thorny issues in a sensitive and humane way. The writing has moments of black humour as well as those of genuine emotion. The characters are well delineated and, for the most part, provided with dialogue that sounds natural.
For the writing alone, I would suggest that you go along to the OFS Studio this week if you can.
The direction and performances are also to be praised. Alice Lacey brings together a taut evening of shifting scenes and emotion with a lightness of touch rare in a student director. She clearly has a good grasp of technique and an understanding of how to get the best out of her actors.
All six actors give strong performances and it would be somewhat unfair to single out individuals in what is a tight group effort. Sabina Smitham gives a credible portrayal of someone unable (or unwilling?) to confront the problems in her life and is well matched by Bethan Williams as the receptionist who is only too willing to talk about hers.
Ali Jennings and Jonny Totman as the doctors at the centre of the scientific debate within the play are well contrasted and well matched in their differing, yet complementary, performances. Jess Hammett and Alex Bowles complete a strong acting line-up.
As a rule, I am not a fan of new writing - I tend to be drawn to well-established texts. But on the showing of this production, I may find myself exploring new works with an increased level of enthusiasm.
It tackles issues of memory, medical ethics, deception, sexual manipulation and many other thorny issues in a sensitive and humane way. The writing has moments of black humour as well as those of genuine emotion. The characters are well delineated and, for the most part, provided with dialogue that sounds natural.
For the writing alone, I would suggest that you go along to the OFS Studio this week if you can.
The direction and performances are also to be praised. Alice Lacey brings together a taut evening of shifting scenes and emotion with a lightness of touch rare in a student director. She clearly has a good grasp of technique and an understanding of how to get the best out of her actors.
All six actors give strong performances and it would be somewhat unfair to single out individuals in what is a tight group effort. Sabina Smitham gives a credible portrayal of someone unable (or unwilling?) to confront the problems in her life and is well matched by Bethan Williams as the receptionist who is only too willing to talk about hers.
Ali Jennings and Jonny Totman as the doctors at the centre of the scientific debate within the play are well contrasted and well matched in their differing, yet complementary, performances. Jess Hammett and Alex Bowles complete a strong acting line-up.
As a rule, I am not a fan of new writing - I tend to be drawn to well-established texts. But on the showing of this production, I may find myself exploring new works with an increased level of enthusiasm.