It’s an extremely warm day for my final visit to the
atmospheric Three Minute Theatre as part of the 24:7 Festival and it is baking
hot inside. I mean, who expects warm summer weather in, erm, summer! Thankfully
there are also lots of lovely cold drinks in the fridge served by the smashing
lady in charge of the place, and I’m soon sitting down, cold beer in hand,
amidst much fanning of programmes, to see the latest festival offering.
The Cell, written by Michael Crowley and directed by Ron
Meadows, finds us in a modern day prison. A prison Officer and prisoner are
barricaded in the cell and demanding to see the Governor. But all is not
necessarily what it seems at first glance.
Very strong performances by Paul Regan as Prison Officer
Scully, and David Barlow, as prisoner Kelly, are at the centre of this play. A
prisoner has died, one has been attacked, and the narrative explores the
drivers for, and consequences of, the actions that have taken place. Maybe it
was the heat, but at times I did find it a little hard to keep up with who did
what to who, but nicely paced dialogue, with a good mixture of humour and drama
are combined with a clever twist to good effect in this intense play. A simple
but effective set conjures up the confines of the cell, and the intimacy of the
venue compliments the setting.
A good end to my time at this quirky venue as part of the festival,
but now I know it is there I am sure I will be back.
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