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Invisible Storms

Verdict: Builds like a jigsaw

London - The Cock Tavern Theatre - 5-30 May 2009 - 20:00 (1:30, no interval)

Invisible Storms has a cast that it is impossible not to like. It's a tale of revenge; revenge on a pleasant man, Conor (Benjamin Peters), who routinely ignores the responsibilities of his job - planning sea defences on the east coast - in order to please his superiors. Unfortunately for him, Kat (Sarah-Louise Young), has just fallen in love with the farm that she has inherited with her brother, Richard (Richard Atwill), and which her father has spent years trying to stop being lost to the sea. In doing so, she is prepared to risk everything - her marriage to Max (Hywel John) and even the upbringing of her two-year-old son.

Given that plot outline, the opening is both intriguing and funny at the same time, and deviser / directors Jamie Harper and Dan Muirden create the atmosphere of a TV drama by cutting from scene to scene quickly, with an absolutely minimal set, so that the production builds like a jigsaw puzzle - with some unexpected pieces.

Where are the negatives? Mostly in the plot structure which sometimes seems lacking in terms of the psychology it offers to drive these characters along. A few clunky details make suspension of disbelief dificult at times. Overall it's perhaps interesting rather than outstanding.

Sarah-Louise Young actually takes on two roles; the woman she is, and the woman she is (absolutely charmingly) prepared to be, in order to bring the hapless Conor to repentance. Hers is a thoroughly capable performance, and she is given the space to be quietly impressive throughout, but all of the cast deserve credit.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Richard Atwill - Richard. Hywel John - Max. Carrie Jones - Mrs Barnham. Benjamin Peters - Conor. Sarah-Louise Young - Kat.

Company Credits: Devisers / Directors – Jamie Harper & Dan Muirden. Sound – David Starmer. Lighting – Simon Beyer. Technical Operator - uncredited. Producer - uncredited. Company - Sound Dust. Cock Tavern: Cock Tavern Press – Caty Smith. Artistic Director - Adam Spreadbury-Maher. Website - www.cocktaverntheatre.com

END

(c) Michael Spring 2009

reviewed Friday 8 May 2009 / The Cock Tavern Theatre

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