'The Caretaker' is a bleakly humorous play concerning three borderline
dysfunctional men in a run-down room in a mostly uninhabitable house. All
are too self-absorbed to have more than a perfunctory conversation, often
talking at cross purposes or ignoring each other. The story begins after the
somewhat simple Aston (Julian Lewis-Jones) impulsively offers refuge in his
dilapidated, junk-strewn room to a tramp called Davies, played by Malcolm
Storry. Both are child-like: Aston gentle, shy and inarticulate; Davies
alternating between transparent greed, self-pity and wheedling camaraderie.
At first it seems that a mutually beneficial friendship may develop, but we
come to discover that they both seem to lack the articulation and trust that
this would require.

The situation is complicated by occasional appearances by the owner of the
house, Mick (Lee Boardman), Aston's younger, sharper brother. Mick acts more
like a teenager, showing off his knowledge and facility with words, dreaming
bigger dreams. His attitude to Davies alternates between hostility, cruel
taunting and false friendship, though the baffled tramp seems best able to
cope with the anger.

Each of the characters has dream which has come to symbolise a better life:
Aston wants to build a shed in the garden, Davies simply to get to Sidcup
and pick up his 'papers'. Mick is more ambitious, with obsessively detailed
plans for the renovation and redecoration of the house. Ultimately, though,
it seems that they are expending all their efforts just maintaining their
lives, and lack the energy and force of will that any kind of improvement
would require.

The play is long, but so absorbing that it doesn't feel it in the slightest.
A script like this makes great demands on the actors and they rise to
occasion beautifully, giving truly powerful and moving performances. The set
design and lighting are marvellous, with the room presented in ragged
cross-section, strewn with junk, its one window giving an impressively
convincing impression of weather and time of day. Sound-effects and music
are used subtly but effectively. In short, this is an excellent production,
highly recommended.

Alex Williams 23/10/01