The Laramie Project

It is not often that I am lost for words but I must confess that for me this was a totally unique theatrical experience and my absolute congratulations and thanks go to Ashton Hayes for being brave enough to, not only tackle this quite extra-ordinary production but for keeping the entire audience listening and absolutely involved throughout the entire piece.  No mean feat in itself as the production began at 7.30 and the curtain did not come in until 10.25pm with one interval!!

I feel I must say a little about the play itself, since I suspect that many people will never have heard of this play.  It is a true story and is presented ‘documentary style’ about the reaction to the 1998 murder of a gay university student, Matthew Shepard in Laramie.  The murder was denounced as a hate crime and brought attention to the lack of hate crime laws in various states of America. The play consists of snippets and extracts drawn on over 200 hundred interviews conducted by the Tectonic Theater Project with the inhabitants of the town, company members' own journal entries, and published news reports. More than 60 characters are portrayed by, in this case, 20 people each playing 3 or 4 roles, 4 singers and 3 young musicians. The Laramie Project is often used as a method to teach about prejudice and tolerance and it is sad to note that some of the productions in the US were picketed by members of a Baptist Church, who actually picketed Matthew Shepard’s funeral.

As Ashton Hayes is, by and large, a ‘touring company’ it is important that the set is easily transportable - in this case a set of boxes which introduced levels, and which were used excellently throughout the production.

The lighting was good throughout with some good semi blackouts to allow for changes of position and characters.  Costume was ‘present day’ with character changes in the main being as simple as a change of hair-style, the addition of a jacket, tie or waistcoat, the addition or removal of glasses etc. which meant no real down time whatever.  Each small vignette was delineated by the entire cast moving to different positions on the stage and the boxes, sometimes standing, sometimes sitting, which added yet more levels and was done excellently.

The direction was, quite simply, superb. Yvette quite obviously had a very clear vision of the entire piece and by adding her own vision and interpretation of the play meant that the audience were presented with a cohesive whole.  Although the piece is by its very nature somewhat fragmented somehow that was never the impression that came over and you could have heard a pin drop in the audience from beginning to end.  

The music was performed well and many, many congratulations to the three young musicians one of whom actually wrote and performed the final song.  

On a personal note I think I would have preferred it without the music – whilst the selection of music was perfect, I am not sure that the story needed anything adding to it – it told its own story SO well.

It is difficult to know what to say about the entire cast – Wow! Probably sums it up best.  You were all superb.  It must have been a hugely difficult play to learn as, put quite simply, it is all words, little or no interaction with the rest of the cast, but an absolute necessity to engage with and relate to the members of the audience.  You all did that – in spades.  Each and every one was superb, and the emotion showed looked (and I am sure was) absolutely genuine, and every different character so well defined.  It would be impossible and grossly unfair to pick out any one person so I am not going to do so – I merely say many, many congratulations on a brilliant job done exceptionally well.  

Many, many thanks for inviting me experience The Laramie project – it felt unique and was so absorbing that all I can do is say thank you, break a leg for the rest of you ‘tour’ and do please continue the excellent work.

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