Lancaster Footlights Club
YOUTH THEATRE PRODUCTIONS at
The Grand Theatre, Lancaster
Thursday 17 to Saturday 19 March 2005

The two one-act plays of this double-bill evening were written for "one of the world's largest celebrations of Youth Theatre', and first performed at the National Theatre's Shell Connections Festival, 2003.

Both pieces address important issues, and the first play of the evening, The Golden Door, is basically a fairy tale with a visit by a mysterious Princess who has dropped through said golden door into the primitive, tribal life of a gang call The Jagged Ones. The Princess promises a better life in ‘World-Over', but there is some reluctance from Big Helen, a Jagged Warrior. Should they set off in pursuit of a new future?

Well, I didn't really get to answering that question, because the structure of this odd story is so episodic that parts of the plot escaped me. The production itself showed some intelligent staging, good use of the acting space and a generally good pace of delivery. But it tended to drag, and there were some uncomfortable gaps between the scenes.

That is a fault with the play itself, I think, but June Preston's imaginative direction brought out some fine performances from the 15-strong cast. Robyn Zawadski dominated well as the aggressive Big Helen, and there were strong performances in the other roles too.

The second piece, Sparkleshark, was a different matter completely. Delightfully written, it tells of Jake, a young bullied, reclusive, ‘swot' figure who writes and tells stories. His female confidantes and admirers are not the only ones enraptured by his latest tale – the dreaded gang, led by the sinister Shane, gradually become absorbed too.

Philip Ridley's naturalistic and powerful writing was delivered in fine style with much light and shade, good pace which sustained the dramatic tension of the drama. Joshua Bennett (Jake) has a presence and a dignity remarkable for his age, and the menacing thuggery and bravado of the other gang members were also convincingly executed.

Jake's three friends, Polly, Natasha and Carol (Holly Elizabeth Stevenson, Rachel Lane-Dixon and Lucy Margaret Stevenson), struck a good balance between a pert coquetry and caring sensitivity. Joseph Cawley's sinister Shane added an air of mystery which contrasted well with the ‘rent-a-stud' bravado of Philip Gaydon's Russell.

The two dozen youngsters who were on stage that evening, and the production teams and other crew, all acquitted themselves admirably. I am delighted (again - see our review of Ripley School's recent production at The Dukes here) to report that theatre is alive, flourishing and wonderfully healthy among the young people in our local area.

We should see them in action more often.

Copyright © 21 March 2005 Michael Nunn