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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
The Night Shift
Verdict: Disturbing dreams, ugly realities
London - Newcastle upon Tyne - Northern Stage - 18-21 Oct 06 - 20.00 (1:30)
Alice (Catherine Dyson) acts out her dreams. Her partner Gray (Craig Conway) tries to understand. Alice sleeps, wakes with a scream and - after a brief, frantic conversation - sleeps again. The waking, screaming and talking repeat again and again. Is she dreaming? Alice says (to the audience) 'Hello, I'll be back in a minute'.
The action switches between Alice and Gray's bedroom and a closed, restrictive establishment. In this secure institution, Andrew (Craig Conway) is filling in a form for his therapist, Helen (Catherine Dyson). When he asks her to come in again there are faint echoes of the words and actions of the first scene. Helen and Andrew have a resemblance to Alice and Gray that is more than physical.
Alice reports to Gray an accident when she did nothing to help. He is uncertain what this means. Andrew corrupts Helen into supplying him with forbidden things – music, a book, cigarettes. The relationship between therapist and client transgresses boundaries, physical and personal. Alice explains her problems with dreams to the audience.
Andrew has a photo of a small girl, Luna. He tells Helen a ritual rhyme they said as he put Luna to bed. Helen briefly acts the part of Luna which ends with a kiss. Helen gives away some of her personal life. Alice dreams, acting to the words of Abba's 'Super Trouper'. As her behaviour confuses Gray, Andrew develops an unhealthy attachment to Helen.
The plot twist at the end is rather too neat and clear.
Lighting and sound are sometimes subtle, and sometimes hit like a psychological sledgehammer. Craig Conway and Catherine Dyson are totally convincing in their parts. The Night Shift's wry humour contrasts with the emotional switchback overtaking both couples. Shocks and laughs happen in the most disturbing scenes. It's an intense and scary show of disturbing dreams and ugly realities.
Cast Credits: Craig Conway – Gray/Andrew. Catherine Dyson – Alice/Helen.
Company Credits: Writer and Director – Mark Murphy. Designer – Miranda Melville. Composer – Nathaniel Reed. Lighting Designer/Technical Management – Lizzie Powell. Technical and Company Manager – Jamie Rothwell. Company – Fuel. Website - www.fueltheatre.com
END
(c) Peter Andrews 2006
reviewed Thursday 19 October 06 / Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
