| Original, inspiring and entertaining |
At Hijinx Theatre |
| Hijinx- Full Circle , Ysgol Erw’r Deryn, Penarth , May 14, 2003 |
| Over the past 20 years or so, Hijinx Theatre’s productions for adults with learning difficulties have gained the company much critical acclaim. Not only are these yearly offerings groundbreaking in their subject matter (recent shows have dealt with the still-taboo topic of relationships between people with learning difficulties, for example) but their three-month tour sees them visiting areas which are generally deprived of live theatre. It’s also rare to see a play where a company considers its audience in every aspect of the production as much as this Cardiff-based company evidently does. Full Circle, written by Hijinx regular Glenys Evans, is based on the true story of Andrew Williams who, in 1996, was part of an exhibition to climb Mount Everest and one of the first people with learning difficulties to do so. Full Circle successfully summarises in around an hour Andy’s journey from sitting at home with his mother, through forming his Circle of Friends (a group of family members, family friends and social workers whose aim is that Andy need not be so reliant on professional services), to fulfilling his ambition to climb the mountain. The cast of four all give strong performances, enhanced by rhythmic music and poetic chanting, but it is Gareth Lloyd Roberts in the role of Andy who drives the show. He is both determined and sensitive, but never overly so, his gentle manner building an instant rapport with the audience. Before the performance the company expressed concerns that this school hall wasn’t the most ideal venue for a reviewer to be casting judgement on the show – it has no blackout system so we don’t get the full effects of the lights, for example. Yet any fears are unfounded; Full Circle is a powerful piece of drama and one can only imagine how striking the ‘real thing’, with proper lights and all, is. Today’s performance demonstrates one of Hijinx’s most commendable strengths – its versatility and ability to adapt shows to suit each individual venue and audience. Full Circle is a highly-original piece of theatre which brings to light subjects which should not be ignored and genuinely moves as much as it inspires. This review first appeared in The Big Issue Cymru |
Reviewed by: Cathryn Scott |
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