The Laramie Project

The Laramie Project
Ashton Hayes Theatre Group
5th September 2019
My congratulations and thanks go to Ashton Hayes for a totally compelling, quite extraordinary production. For me this was a unique theatrical experience.
The play itself was quite new to me and I suspect it is to many people. It is a true story about the reaction to the 1998 murder of a gay university student, Mathew Shephard, in Laramie, Wyoming.
Mathew was born in Casper Wyoming, he was popular with his friends but was teased due to his small stature and lack of athleticism. Mathew’s murder was denounced as a hate crime, highlighting the lack of hate crime laws in various states of America.
The play itself is presented “documentary style” consisting of snippets and extracts drawn from over 200 interviews with the inhabitants of Laramie.  The interviews were conducted by Moises Kaufman, who wrote the play, and members of the Tectonic Theatre Company, who went to Laramie one year after the murder. The cast of 20 portrayed more than 60 characters, each playing 3 or 4 roles. There were also 3 singers and 3 musicians.
This performance at Theatre Clwyd was the last in the calendar for this predominantly touring company. Being a touring play it is vital that the set is easily transportable, yet relevant and this was brilliantly achieved by a number of individual level of boxes which were creatively used throughout the production.
Costume was present day, the character changes were wonderfully achieved by a simple change of hairstyle or the addition of a tie or jacket, glasses worn or not, hats, scarves etc. which meant the production flowed well. The portrayal of each vignette was expertly done by the entire cast moving to different positions on the stage and the boxes, some standing, some sitting adding yet more levels. Brilliantly done.
The lighting was good throughout, with semi blackouts which allowed for changes of position and characters.
The direction was superb - it was clear that Yvette had a very clear vision for this production. Her own interpretation on what was intrinsically a delivery of individual fragmented interviews was delivered in such a way that the audience were engrossed.
The music was performed well, congratulations to the three young musicians.
Now to the cast; WOW what a performance. You were all superb. Your commitment and compassion was there for us all to see. Not an easy play to learn as it is all words, with no interaction with the rest of the cast. Your interaction was with the audience, this you achieved admirably. Well Done.
It would be impossible and also unfair to pick out one person, so I am not going to do so. Just to say many congratulations on a brilliant production.
Many thanks for inviting me to this remarkable play that is ‘The Laramie Project’ it was an incredible experience.
Joanne Rymer
9/9/19

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