| This play could save lives |
At Fluellen Theatre |
| Fluellen Theatre Company- Hanging in There , Swansea Grand Theatre (Arts Wing) , September 14, 2007 |
The big C word, the one most of us are embarrassed or even afraid to talk about. Based on his own experience of successful treatment for testicular cancer, playwright Geoff Saunders has come up with a very interesting theatre piece that blows away all the uncertainties surrounding this difficult and potentially very dangerous problem. Although the play may be a little over written in places, with a lot of good humour he takes us very clearly through the lows and highs of Jack Jackson’s worrying voyage and demonstrates a programme of care that will prove of tremendous value, particularly to any young men who have the good fortune to catch this play. The device of having two actors playing the part of the afflicted Jack works very well, brings some good comic reactions as in turn each becomes the conscience of the other and persuades, cajoles and pushes Jack in the right direction and enables us to hear the workings of his inner thoughts. Both Jack Llewellyn and Tom McLeod who, like all the members of cast, once that they have adjusted to the ambiance of the venue, present us with a very engaging pair of lads who handle both the moving pieces of the drama and the broad humour with great aplomb. As in all delicate matters the women take the lead. Jack’s wife Anna gives us a lesson in breast examination and it’s Jack’s breaking in on this intimate and personal procedure that sets the story in motion. Again as she gets into the play Llinos Thomas gives an attractive, endearing performance of a warm hearted, fecund, loving, young, and supportive wife. Gavin Dando once he has settled into the play draws a strong picture of the insensitive chauvinist who’s going to be a part of any group of ‘the boys’ around their pints in the pub. The writing does make it a bit too obvious that he will be the one to finish up with probably an incurable testicular problem but it does serve to drive the message home and Dando is particularly moving at this point toward the end of the play. Stephen Donnelly, with his suitably matted locks, is able to achieve a nice degree of subtle sensitivity as the yoga loving, ‘green’ understanding friend. The development of the story-line starts initially from girly chat with Anna and her two friends, Trisha and Dora. Jennifer Shakesby and Sian Angharad find a little sparkle but in these roles the weakness of some of the writing is at its most striking. Despite this Saunders gets his central message over very clearly indeed. He writes a very funny scene where all the actors take on roles of the various members of the hospital’s medical staff, to give Jack the good news, that his early caught tumour is not likely to spread any further and he is ready to find his way back to normal life. There are also some good comedy moments as he reassures himself that his ‘manhood’ is also back on form. This was my first visit to the Arts Wing. It’s a good size as studio theatres go but its general ambiance and layout did little to support the show. There was a bit too much distracting banging about of chairs and tables but this was a brave play for Peter Richards to stage and who know? This play could save lives. |
Reviewed by: Michael Kelligan |
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