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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Treasure
Verdict: Den of secrets
London - King's Head Theatre - 13:00 (13:30) - 25-31 Oct 04
Treasure is drama about returning to the memories of the past - with hope of redemption. There's a cast of 3 (2F, 1M); running time is 30 min; it's at lunchtime.
Zoe goes back to Lancashire for a couple of days from London to see old boyfriend Magic Mickey, and cold-shoulder pregnant Natalie. Just like she used to when they were kids - but she's acquired the further metropolitan ability to patronise both.
A child's gone missing in the area - a police search starts tomorrow. The trio meet at night and row a boat to the island they used to visit. But when Zoe wants to visit their old den, Mickey suddenly isn't so keen. What secret lies there? And from present or past?
Victoria John delivers a Nat prepared to keep her counsel under bitch fire, one who's stolid, obdurate, and endearing. Dominic Kinnaird gives Mickey (aka Magic) a sense of pathos, a childlike though not childish dimension, and a sensitivity to the character's changes of mood. Anna Masterson's Zoe, gets the writer's most pungent lines to deliver, and produces a Zoe who in a less skilled actor's hands would be simply spiteful. But Anna Masterson hints from the start - and delivers - the vulnerability within the manipulative bully. And generally keeps what's written as a highly-emotional character from going too melodramatically over-the-top.
Joy Wilkinson's sharp ability to penetrate the cracks in the human soul and allow vitriol to pour through them, was shown most recently with her Edinburgh 04 play The Aquatic Ape (also at The Hen & Chickens Theatre Nov 04). There's not much slack in her writing, and this piece shows the usefulness of well-written lunchtime theatre. Watching Joy Wilkinson's play is like jaw-dropping to a best friend's dramatic revelations of her hidden past over lunch break - but being able to walk away afterwards without having to simulate giving a toss.
Ebullient director Eloise Emanuel brings a tactful emphasis to the range of subtle emotions that creep out of each character as the drama opens up. There's not much flagging of pace on this first performance. Eloise Emanuel has a sharp eye for the desires and jealousies that form the surface of the play - while bringing out the fears that run beneath its surface.
There's effective sound and lighting from Roy Wentzel who also manages the production.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Victoria John - Nat. Dominic Kinnaird - Mickey (aka Magic). Anna Masterson - Zoe.
Company Credits: Writer - Joy Wilkinson. Director/Producer/Set Designer - Eloise Emanuel. Production Manager/Lighting/Sound - Roy Wentzel. Companies - Te Deum Productions, Elephant Theatre.
Theatre Credits: King's Head Theatre: Artistic Director - Dan Crawford. Assistant Direcor - Eloise Emanuel. Press - Sue Hyman. Theatre Manager - Ninon Jerome. Elephant Theatre (producer of lunchtime theatre): Founder - Syd Golder. Thanks: Paul Simpson; Dan Crawford; Ninon Jerome; Syd Golder; Whinney (The Crown); David Emanuel; Elizabeth Emanuel; Wendy Golding, Bern Golding; Madeleine & Alexis (Blue Elephant Theatre); Sean McGlynn & Pia, Mike, John, Lyndsey, Stuart, Jen, Jemma & Psyche - King's Head Theatre.
END
John Park
reviewed Monday 25 October 04 / King's Head Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
