At National Theatre Wales |
| National Theatre Wales/Out of Joint/Arcola Theatre- Crouch Touch Pause Engage , Sherman Theatre , February 24, 2015 |
We are greeted by Angela Davies’ smart realistic/theatrical set; a tidy rugby training room with a physiotherapist’s bench in the middle of it. It serves well the multi-locations visited as the strong narrative progresses. It is well complemented by Katy Morison’s appropriate lighting and subtly underscored by Dyfan Jones’ sound design. Our rugby hero, Gareth Thomas ‘Alfie’ stands centre stage holding his iconic ball. He asserts “if you cut my arm. I’ll have blue blood coming out, cos it’s the colours of Bridgend Rugby Club.” We are immediately aware of a strong, warm, easygoing character. This is the ‘outed’ Alfie now very much at home with himself. This is a success story though, as we will see, there are many heart rendering pitfalls on the way. The play adopts an odd device of having each member of the six man cast play the part of Gareth Thomas at different times throughout the play, both the males and the females. It is to the credit of this group of fine actors that they each manage to convey the deep down nature of the man with a strong degree of consistency. I didn’t find this approach very satisfactory. It would have been much more poignant if we were able to watch one figure experiencing and expressing the wide range of emotions this man has to endure and finally successfully overcome. Alfie’s prologue is followed by a short scene where a headmaster completes a short remembrance service for a pupil who has recently committed suicide. There have been 79 known suicides between 2007 and 2012 suicides of young people in this area. Desperately sad as this situation was it didn’t seem to have much relevance to the main story here. Robin Soans is well known for his verbatim scripts. In researching the story of anyone from Bridgend details of this story would, no doubt emerge. But one dramatic story was all we needed to assimilate and appreciate. There is a parallel story to which this has a degree of reference. One of the most engaging aspects of the evening was the high quality and commitment of the actors. Two young girls, Meryl, exquisitely played by Katie Elin-Salt, who becomes even more convincing as her Bridgend accent softens into captivating reality, and her close on/off friend, Darcey, Lauren Roberts whose decent and recovery totally captivate. Patrick Brennan’s Neil Kinnock is a delight but he is burdened by having to take on the lead role at the latter end of the drama. The actor copes well but looks so wrong. Rhys ap William is very strong and true both as Alfie and as Alfie’s dad. He and Bethan Witcomb as Alfie’s mum have a great rapport and are particularly strong in the vital moment of their son’s coming out to them. Daniel Hawksford’s best moments are as the long-serving best friend, Compo. He brings both humour and sensitivity to the role. The ‘Coming Out’ experience was a big shock to the public at large who had seen the rise of this commanding sports star. He was the most capped Welsh rugby union player, with 100 test match appearances He is currently ranked 12th among international try scorers and is the second highest Wales try scorer. He also won 4 rugby league caps for Wales. In 2010 he moved to rugby league, playing for the, Bridged based Crusaders RL in the Super League, and for Wales. He retired from rugby in October 2011. He announced publicly that he is gay in 2009. The play tells us of the immense strength of character of the man. We see him at his lowest moments, he went right up to the wall, stood at the end of a cliff but he didn’t jump. He got married, he managed to hide his homosexuality well, though the rumours started to spread and there was abuse from the terraces. There always seemed to be a touch of dignity and a sense of fun about the man but this was drowned by the desperate discomfort he felt inside with his deceit and incompleteness. Alfie is a new man and a big figure, released, as the first openly gay professional rugby union player. Though no doubt there are many more still suffering. Thomas has become a vocal supporter of the British charity Childline and has founded his own charity offering free music tuition and sports coaching, along with access to instruments and equipment, to disadvantaged youngsters. A big story, well executed by the cast and director. However there could have been a bit more depth and dignity in the writing. The plays tour throughout Wales and England until the 9th May then plays the Arcola Theatre, London 20 May – 20 June. |
Reviewed by: Michael Kelligan |
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