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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Beyond Omarska
Verdict: Good story, poor script
London - White Bear Theatre - 20 June to 9 July 19:30 (21:45)
Beyond Omarska is drama about a Bosnian Muslim refugee trying make a new life in Manchester - and soon confronted by his past. It is in 2 acts, runs 2 hr 15 min including interval, and has a cast of 4 (3M, 1F).
Jusuf Babic (Daniel Kanaber) has fled the war in Bosnia. He tries hard to forget what he went through. But memories return when a discharged British soldier comes to the hostel where he lives and works. Unfortunately, although the cast is generally strong, the characterisation of Jusuf Babic falls short mainly on accent and body language.
The play has a good story but the script needs more work. Dialogue feels in need of more development as if it has been laid down too schematically, too much in outline form. Writer Michael Crowley could perhaps have expressed the journey more through dialogue, rather than skipping from one scene to another. There are too many scenes, which distracts. There are a few unnecessary subplots, which confuse. Most of the main story happens during the first act, which makes the second act feel dull to watch.
Designer William Roberts makes an excellent job of the hostel dιcor. But the too-many locations and scenes make it impossible to put everything on a small stage. In general, director Adam Quayle has everything he needs to make a good production from gifted cast to talented designers. But a poorly-finished script makes the production look cheap.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Ian Bonar Warren Skidmore. Kathryn Georghiou Rose Noonan. Daniel Kanaber Jusuf Babic. Jim Sturgeon Sean Taylor.
Company Credits: Writer - Michael Crowley. Director - Adam Quayle. Designer - William Roberts. Lighting Designer - Rob Stemson. Sound Designer - Chris James. Technical Operator - John Katon. Stage Manager - John Katon. Production Photos - Marc Brenner. Producer - Adam Quayle. Company Box Of Tricks Company. White Bear Theatre: Artistic Director Michael Kingsbury.
END
(c) Amine Yahia Cherif 2006
reviewed Thursday 22 Jun 2006 / White Bear
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
