Reviewer: Christine Stanton
Writer & Director: Philippa Lawford
“Well-Crafted Characters“
4 / 5
Emma is fresh out of university and struggling to find her place in the world. Self-assured Matt went to RADA but wasn’t determined enough to pursue his original dream of being an actor, so wound up teaching at a local school instead. Working together, the pair spend a lot of time realising what they really want out of life – but actually obtaining it is a whole other challenge.
Drama teacher Matt (Jolyon Coy) is in his 30s, 10 years or so older than teaching assistant Emma (Julia Pilkington). He and his partner are in a long-term, serious relationship, and are trying for a baby. Emma on the other hand is taking life as it comes – interested in becoming an actor, but not confident in taking the plunge and auditioning, sure that she’d be rejected and disheartened by her peers that are already thriving in their pursuit of success. Although their working relationship starts innocently enough, the lines between them begin to get blurred, is Emma starting to fall for Matt or is she just inspired by his knowledge and experience that he generously passes down to her outside of work?
These two well-crafted characters written and directed by Philippa Lawford are immediately engaging to the audience. Their believable personas and often awkward mannerisms and stilted conversations helping to solidify the naturalism of the dialogue. Their lines are interwoven with acted scenes and readings from Chekhov’s ‘The Seagull’, which although makes sense within the storyline as they craft a school play and practice for Emma’s auditions, these sections could quite easily be shortened or removed to help the main script keep focus. Without prior understanding of this text, the possible parallels mean nothing – and the lines chosen to recite aren’t too interesting, instead just detracting momentarily from the incredibly suspenseful slow build between the two characters.
Coy and Pilkington are perfect within their roles. Pilkington’s combination of young, eager energy mixed with the awkwardness and apprehension that clouds the early years of adulthood is expertly done, while Coy’s confident, helpful yet also slightly dismissive demeanour is captivating as the audience try and work out how far their relationship will go. There is palpable tension in the room as everyone waits to see if Matt will be unfaithful or if their relationship will remain platonic, with credit given to both actors and Lawford for creating such a wonderful portrayal of possibility.
This is a brilliantly likeable show full of emotion, empathy and endearingly sweet interactions.
Runs Until 1 June 2024
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