Someone Who'll Watch Over Me

The scene was set from the moment you walked into the centre. As you went towards the auditorium you came across gun-toting middle eastern guards and ‘ladies’ standing around on corners and on the stairs. It was really creepy! The performing area was in a small studio with tiered seating on two sides and in one corner was the straw-strewn ‘cell’ with a filthy mattress and blankets on the floor and two hostages chained up to pipes. Adding to this already chilling setting was atmospheric music, composed and performed throughout by Susan Stevenson accompanied by Sheila Kay Sly. The two hostages were Edward, an Irish journalist played by Nick Mothershaw and fitness fanatic Adam, an American Doctor played by Tom Makinson who had been incarcerated on his own for two months prior to Adam’s arrival. They were later joined by Michael, an Englishman and a Professor in English, played by Terry Stevenson. I cannot praise these three actors enough for their individual dynamic performances. They were totally focused, each giving convincing, believable and emotional portrayals of the idiosyncrasies both personal and nationalistic of their characters. The three underwent so many emotions from frustration to tormenting and mocking one another, from aggression to overwhelming sadness and remorse all being delivered so brilliantly. They invented various ways of coping with the boredom from ‘writing’ letters to their loved ones, telling stories, reliving past events (Virginia Wade winning Wimbledon and riding in Chitty, Chitty, Bang Bang were just two examples and both were hilarious) but all of these ‘episodes’ were truly magnificent. Adam was the first to be released and he made his exit with great dignity - however there was soon heard a loud Bang!! Edwards’s release came towards the end of the play and he was thrown a bag which contained his clothes. He dressed himself and out of his pocket he got a comb. He proceeded to comb Michael’s hair (this action pertained to a story line earlier in the play) and what an intense, moving and significant moment it was. A great script by Frank McGuiness which took us through every conceivable emotion and psychological despair that hostages must endure was truly heart wrenching and masterfully acted by Nick, Tom and Terry. Congratulations to the Director, Jane Wilton, and indeed to everyone involved for making this a totally absorbing and enthralling experience from start to finish but, most of all, the highest of accolades must go to Nick Mothershaw, Tom Makinson and Terry Stevenson for their absolutely phenomenal performances. Superb!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.