| Challenging and delightfull |
At Hijinx Theatre |
| Hijinx Theatre Ruling the Roost , The Riverfront Newport , May 5, 2007 |
In Glenys Evans’ fifth play for Hijinx Theatre, once again she shows that she has a firm understanding of the modern Folk Tale with a clear straightforward narrative on the surface but at the same time there are many comments on the state of humanity, with all its strengths and weaknesses simmering away beneath. The play is essentially aimed at people with learning difficulties however there is no dumbing down and the challenges and the delight in the play and in the well drawn characters appeal and captivate everyone. Widowed Old Mama has spent all her life on her sun-drenched island, all her days she has and still continues to work hard and acknowledges this as her way of life, with little or no complaint. Mary Drummond has created a simple, warm and colourful island home that Old Mama’s hard-nosed Working Daughter concludes has great potential for development. With its dry-stone wall, constantly under attack by the old goat next door, and its silken-leafed fig tree Drummond has recreated a picture you might find in a finely illustrated children’s storybook. Clêr Stephens’ Old Mama character fits perfectly into the picture that smells of the hot sun and of the lavender blowing in her field, waiting for her to harvest it. She carries the weight of age and a resignation that is now, as a result of being on her own for so long, although Old Papa’s ashes have remained near by in an old pickle tin, beginning to colour her with a touch of bitterness which the actress expresses so well with every twitch of her face and movement of her body. She notices the twist in the mouth that reveals how Working Daughter has become hard and unfeeling in her quest for the riches of life, away on the unrelenting mainland. Eloise Howe is every bit the scheming, two-faced minx, the villain of the piece whose duplicitous ways seem to win the day or do they? Serious though the plot maybe Louise Osborn’s tight direction ensures the narrative is clear to follow but she also introduces a continuously running note of humour that makes the play a feast, so delightful to digest. Ensemble playing is something more usually associated with much larger productions but this cast of four work wonderfully together, enjoying the play and the playing and the strong, friendly contact they make with the audience. They bring each picture magically to life. Old Mama shares more than his spectacles with Old Yorri next door, though we do not see it we know, from the way they exchange their continually insulting banter, they have sustained each other over many years. Maybe they might have become even closer friends if it wasn’t for the interventions of Old Yorri’s Goat. An essential additional character and catalyst to the story. You could say that in a way, Goat was Old Yorri’s right-hand man. It’s undoubtedly warm-hearted actor Rhys ap Trefor’s hard working right hand that brings this, ever-philosophising and continually commenting on the action like an animated Greek chorus, mischievous character uproariously to life. The sun rises and the sun sets. The tide comes in and goes out. Working daughter has... well let’s not give away the whole plot. Working Daughter has brought her lay-about teenager son with her to help with her Island quest. Leighton Kyle, with his torn jeans and dirty T-shirt, makes the perfect twenty first century hoodie without a hood. For the first time the boy’s imagination is totally engaged and there’s a possible outcome to these events that was certainly not the one Working Mama might have expected. For touring details contact www.hijinx.org.uk |
Reviewed by: Michael Kelligan |
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