Theatr Iolo |
| Theatr Iolo- The Flock , Chapter Arts Centre Cardiff , February 28, 2005 |
| (Touring Secondary Schools in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Jan., Feb. & Mar.) “In the early part of the 21st century our aim is still to create quality vibrant theatre to stir the imagination, inspire the heart and challenge the mind.” Kevin Lewis – Artistic Director – Theatr Iolo. It’s now twenty years since a report was brought out, highly commending the eight TIE/Community Companies working in Wales. Not so long afterwards the Arts Council proposed to completely cut the grants to half of them. There was a brilliant movement of protest, the Chief Executive of the Arts Council lost her job and all the companies were saved. Today the strength of these companies is even greater, typified by productions like Theatr Na Nog’s current bi-lingual Melangell and this tense and dramatic production from Theatr Iolo. The Flock by Danish playwright, Jesper Wamsler, has been translated for this production by Sarah Argent, reminding us of the internationalism of teenage uncertainty and despair. The human flock at its best is the family, though not so all embracing as it was, not that many years ago. Today families get together for Christmas, weddings and funerals etc. From these gatherings most of us will get a good feeling of warmth and togetherness. My family has fled the nest, but they return quite regularly, but for most of the time leaving us in a big empty house. I often gaze out into the garden and see an odd sparrow searching for food, soon he’ll be joined by another and they will perch in the bushes and twitter away, be joined by lots of friends all thanking me for the bird food I’ve left out for them. When I go out into the garden the flock will fly away. Vic, the character played here by Carri Munn is a lonely street sparrow, very different from the extravagant blasé character she gives us in her Munn and Diamond comedy persona. She is a very versatile actor equally able to represent the bullying rapist landlord as she is to give us the lost vulnerability of her main character. Louise, the second sparrow is seen nervously circling Vic’s mind in the early part of the play, as the now grown-up sixteen year old Vic is visiting her grave. The two sparrows soon start pecking together. They first met two years earlier, rejected, homeless street girls, they join three others in similar situations. There’s a strong feeling of mutual support as the flock set out on a crash-course of self-serving criminality of increasing violence and desperation. But the strength of this flock takes them nowhere. Louise life is taken after her sacrifice to try to hold the flock together. The rest separate and life goes on. Carri is a quirky actress, which is both a strength and can be a weakness, it takes us a little time to settle to her character but as she goes on the rampage with the flock she quickly becomes strong and gripping. Anna Joseph brings a delicate yet determined quality to her playing of Louise, her gentle beauty so perfectly offset by Munn’s gritty portrayal. The play does not set out to be judgmental but is does drive home some very sorry facts about the way some young people are forced to live today. Rejected by love, they seek for an alternate love amongst themselves that must inevitably be as destructive as the damage they were forced to suffer so early in their tender lives. I am sure that director Lewis has succeeded in touching the hearts and challenging the minds of his teenage audience. |
Reviewed by: Michael Kelligan |
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