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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Night Caller
Verdict: Highly-charged emotional drama
Night Caller is a drama about two interlocking love affairs that aren't what they seem. There are 3 actors and 2 acts. It lasts 2 hours including a 15-
minute interval.
Carol Destry's a petite and loveable woman who drifts into Marshall Ryder's life as if by chance. In his professional role as Steve Emmin, Marshall's a radio host who insults callers including Carol. She wants an apology, and perhaps more. But Vivian Gould's a part of Marshall's life too - and not sure if she's ready to surrender him. What exactly is their relationship? Who precisely is each of these people? All is very much not what it seems.
Charlie Daish engages as ebullient and outrageously offensive Steve, and exposes the complexity and vulnerability of Marshall. It's a gifted performance demanding extremes of mood, which Charlie Daish delivers with finesse and subtle understanding. Rapidly, he creates and keeps the sympathy necessary for what is happening to Marshall to matter.
Sonia Forbes Adam evokes a Carol of charm and vulnerability, with a base-line of steel. She's able to nuance this with a sudden flash of almost autistic detachment - like a child bored of her toys; and an undercurrent of enigma. Sonia Forbes Adam's achievement is to create a Carol who's intriguingly loveable. It's delicately woven acting - magnificent.
Catherine Greenwood brings sparkle, humour and a stylish élan to Vivian. Vivian's occupation is only part of her character in this stylish interpretation. It's a well-written role, and Catherine Greenwood is able to find from the writing an evocation of delight, force, innocence, and low cunning. It's a fine performance rooted in a strong understanding of the character, that evokes energy - and an unsettling tension - into the play at all the right places, and the sense of the disturbing authority the script creates.
Sophia Reed directs with a light and effective understanding of the rapid changes of mood and nuance of this highly-sophisticated (and highly emotionally-charged) drama. Joshua Levine delivers a strong script packed with well-written dialogue tied to an exciting plot. He makes good use of the two-act structure to set the riddle in the first half, and pick it apart in the second. If there's an area of possible rewriting, it's the last few minutes, but the play's complete as it stands.
This isn't a feel-good play; it packs a solid (rather low) punch that the recently heart-broken may care to avoid. But they'll most likely be committing suicide at home, rather than going out to the West End, where this excellent play belongs.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Sonia Forbes Adam - Carol Destry. Charlie Daish - Steve Emmin / Marshall Ryder. Catherine Greenwood - Vivian Gould.
Company Credits (programme order): Director - Sophia Reed. Costume - Louisa Allen. Writer - Joshua Levine. Lighting / Sound Design - Julian MacDonnell. Casting - Polly Kemp. Assistant Stage Manager - Rhea Mason. Stage Manager - Jeni Notley. Designer - Libby Watson. PR - Sophy MacDonnell. Producer - James Nesbitt. Company: A Friesian Theatre Company Production for Brown Cow Films Ltd. Thanks to: Ian Johnson, Chris Worwood, Phil Fisk, Mike Kingsbury, The Castle (Crystal Palace Road), Christian O'Connell + The Breakfast Show Team at XFM, Miranda Garland, Dulwich Lingerie, John Barnett Shoes, Rose at Grace & Favour, Charlie Hoskyns, Bernadette O'Brien, James Loizeau. Venue: Artistic Director - Michael Kingsbury. Box Office - Helen Worsley.
END
John Park
reviewed Wednesday 7 April 04 / White Bear Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
