Road

Jim Cartwright’s Road is not a story as such, but is a series of sketches about the happenings of the lives of residents living in a deprived, working class area of northern England over the course of a single night and takes place during the government of Margaret Thatcher. The cast consisted of twenty two actors playing thirty five different roles with an ensemble of five players. It was a huge undertaking for the company and Director Jane Wilton certainly made the whole thing work and pulled it all together wonderfully. The excellent set, designed by Barry Brown and built by the cast and crew, depicted the various scenarios with the addition of a ‘pub’ (always busy) which later a became a ‘chippy’ and good use was made of the balcony that runs alongside one wall of the hall. As always, the props were superb. The lighting, sound and costumes, especially the most appropriate music, were all splendid. There were no weak links in this very large cast they were all terrific, each and everyone becoming the various characters and making them so believable. But, not decrying the talents of anyone in the cast, I must however, mention just a few stand-out performances. James Strath was first rate as Scullery, a shiftless loafer, who acted as narrator and tour guide introducing us to the different characters so that they could tell their story. Mik Horvath was so convincing as the vicious skinhead who turns to religion and later was hilariously funny and over-the-top as Bisto, a DJ. As the smug, impudent Brink, Joe Riley was great but as Joey, a despondent young lad on a hunger strike who has taken to his bed, what an outstandingly moving and heart-rending delivery he gave which finally ended in his death. With him in this situation was Alex Smith, who gave a most poignantly, moving and quite calming portrayal as his girlfriend, Clare. It was a brilliantly conceived and such a heart breaking scene - I certainly had a tear in my eye. Tracey Wilkinson was great as Brenda, an alcoholic, and the totally intoxicated Helen (Lisa Benson), who staggered aimlessly about the stage throughout the whole performance deserved a medal - she was absolutely fabulous. Everyone else in the cast (Johnny Vincent, Jeremy Crane, Liam Duffy, Mollie Middleton, Andrew Barlow, Louisa Jenkins, Jamie Brooks, Morgan Richter, Chelsea Richter, Alyson Koe, Roger Whiting, Jane Robertson, Nick Mothershaw, Tina Hampton, John Briscoe, Patricia Church, Jackie Maltby and Pip Price) as I have already said, was superb, and all of them helped to make this, at times funny but very disturbing and thought provoking show, a great piece of theatre. Many congratulations to everybody involved.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.