Rotterdam

Rotterdam

Written by Jon Brittain

Performed by Exmouth Players at the Blackmore Theatre, Exmouth

On Tuesday 2nd April 2024

Directed by Cathy Turner

Production Manager – Paul Baxter

Stage Manager – Annette Driver

With an open stage the audience enter the world of Rotterdam. Five fully-filled clothing rails are seen, two of which are at the front of stage, which, when moved, reveal the look of a New York apartment but with the clean lines and white or cream furnishings of a modern Swedish home. The Cyclorama is a brickwork wall with the words ‘Be Proud of Who You Are’ written across it in large letters. The five clothing rails are moved by the actors throughout the production to form walls, walkways, structures and set, a clever use of stage props in a small space to create expanse and capacity.  Adding to the set are white pieces of furniture such as desks and chairs which help show differing locations of each scene, such as their apartment, an office, live music club and café. The supporting actors, dressed in white, not only acted in different non-speaking roles in each scene but built and moved the stage props to create invisible scene changes.  Ingenious in my opinion and worked well, allowing the play to flow.

It is the end of 2022 and we are introduced to a young English couple, Alice and Fiona, living together, about to face the biggest test of their relationship and it isn’t about moving house or money issues, it is so much deeper than that.  Alice, a thinker and procrastinator, who is ‘thinking and procrastinating’ over sending a ‘coming out’ email to her parents in England having avoided telling them for seven years by ‘hiding away’ in another country.  Fiona, who has been out since she was a teenager and has been trying to persuade Alice for the last seven years to tell her parents then proof-reads the frank and truthful email and blurts out “I think I’m meant to be a man”, opening up a world of change and soul-searching for herself, Alice and their relationship.

Fiona asks to be called Adrian, dresses in a more masculine way and becomes more confident in his skin whilst Alice, having just become sure of own identity, questions how she can be a lesbian yet love a man. Adrian, hopeful yet naively says “you know it doesn’t change anything between us”. And so, the story begins of them both wrestling with their own identities and changes ahead.

Throughout, they are supported by Josh, brother to Adrian who also is Alice’s ex-boyfriend. Accepting and supporting, he is understanding of their relationship and counsels them both when they need him. We also have the enthusiastically young, vivacious Lelani, a work colleague of Alice, Dutch, a lesbian and likes Alice, a lot!

These four young actors were exceptional in their parts and I will expand.

The actor portraying Alice is believable from her first words and has a natural ability to act. A really believable and poignant performance. You could see her emotions clearly especially during the scene in which she ‘hugs’ Adrian while trying on a chest binder. This was a wonderful performance, genuine, intuitive and emotional. Her final realisation that she loves and wants to be with the person Adrian, no matter what, was sympathetically acted and totally real. Well done indeed.

A super performer portrays Fiona who develops into the more comfortable identity of Adrian. A complex part and in my opinion a challenge for any actor however the audience saw the susceptibility of Adrian in this performance as the character tries to be honest about his need to transition to a man. The fear, anger and frustration were palpable allowing his fellow actors to react with believability and so funny when telling his mum “I think I’m a man” over the phone, on loud speaker, with nan listening too and ‘passing the test’ (as a man) with Lelani. Exceptional.

Josh, brother to Fiona/Adrian and Alices’ ex-boyfriend is an actor with experience and perfectly comfortable on stage. He portrays a brotherly love for Adrian and complex, yet gentle emotions for Alice. I loved the scene between Josh and Alice, overlooking a bridge (perhaps) smoking cigarettes and discussing life choices and then when he comforts Adrian who thinks returning to being a woman will bring Alice back. Such a clever, natural performance.

A comical and excitable Lelani, with a good Dutch accent, makes us laugh and giggle throughout. With great comic timing and confidence, we warm to this character almost immediately as she befriends Alice. I especially liked their scene in bed after their outing on ‘King’s Night’ and when Lelani sends Alices’ email to her parents having ‘amended’ it a little!

Costumes were based on recent fashion with Alice in office suit, lounge wear or a bright orange dress and boots for King’s Night. Lelani in her black ripped jeans and gorgeous black high-heeled shoes with crystal shoe clips, Josh in grey or black jeans, T-shirt and jacket and Adrian in similar. Placing the supporting performers in white was ingenious and contrasted well with the other actors.

Creative lighting adds to the production, with a ceiling light flown in for the apartment, pinks, purples and subdued lighting in the club scenes and the brightness of the café and office scenes. Well thought-out lighting was added to by the music used during scene changes and within scenes, suiting the story perfectly.

Sometimes this play felt like a romantic comedy but with the added trials and tribulations of the complex characters making the audience think, perhaps even question their own understanding and perception of transgender and the LGBT+ community.  Cleverly directed and produced, beautifully and jovially acted by the cast this was, without doubt, a wonderful piece of theatre. Sincere, touching and thought-provoking. It is totally understandable that Jon Brittain won an Olivier Award for this play in 2017 and this production deserves its own award not only for the performances given but for opening the minds of those watching. In the words of Adrian “I don’t want to change the world. I just want people to see me the way I want to be seen”.  Doesn’t everyone.

My congratulations to the cast, the director Cathy Turner and the production team including the front of house team for a compassionate, amusing and compelling production of Rotterdam.

Lyn Burgoyne for Patricia Barclay

Noda Representative (District 5, Mid and East Devon).

 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.