| A ballsy comedy, in all senses |
At Fluellen Theatre |
| Fluellen Theatre Company- Hanging in There , Swansea Grand Theatre (Arts Wing) , September 13, 2007 |
A comedy about testicular cancer may at first raise some eyebrows, yet humour serves as a wonderful mechanism for coping with difficult situations. The play succeeds with triumph in its comedy, not out of the need to laugh for relief’s sake, but for being genuinely funny.Geoff Saunders’ “Hanging in There” breaks down the barriers of a taboo subject. The playwright’s own battle with testicular cancer is responsible for the candour yet sensitivity with which the topic is handled. Peter Richards’ cast are captivating, approaching their roles with fervour. Jack Llewellyn and Tom McLeod share the role of the protagonist, Jack, which allows for them to engage in comic banter with each other as well as provide the audience with inner dialogue. The device also softens the more intense, dramatic scenes. This is a wonderful pairing and the two spark off each other. There are some displays of heartfelt acting from Llinos Thomas as Jack’s wife and Gavin Dando as Dave, Jack’s friend. Newcomer, Stephen Donnelly gives a cleverly understated performance as the delightful hippy character Howard. Although the female characters are somewhat weak and stereotypical, the actors invest them with warmth and colour. Jennifer Shakesby and Sian Angharad show their talent for playing multiple characters with a charmingly witty approach. Due to nature of the subject, it is essential that the play is accessible and it is a great strength of the piece that we are never once made to feel uncomfortable. This is a powerful piece of theatre with some touching, beautifully written scenes conveying the important message at the play’s heart that will undoubtedly raise awareness. Moreover, “Hanging in There” displays the inspirational strength of the human in the face of tragedy. Fluellen take “Hanging in There” to De Valence, Tenby, on the 19th September, before moving on to Birmingham’s, The Old Joint Stock Theatre from 9th to 11th October. |
Reviewed by: Ella-Louise Gilbert |
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