Pass, 24:7 Theatre Festival, 24/7/14

The 24:7 Theatre Festival turns ten this year, and in tribute I am on a mission to see all ten original plays and blog about them. This week I've spent every lunch hour at the theatre, and quite a few after work outings too, but I'm on track so far!

Today's lunchtime session was to see Pass, by new writer Naomi Sumner which focuses on three characters, Jake (Ethan Rogers) a schoolboy studying furiously for his mocks with a hope of going to college and building a better life for himself away from the Manchester estate he has grown up in, his girlfriend Maddie (Natasha Davidson) whose only ambition is to get married to Jake and settle down at any cost, and idealistic young teacher Louise (Johanna Hilton) who tries to help Jake realise his potential.

If I'm honest, I found this play to be somewhat predictable and cliched. There was no real complexity to the characters, and I found it hard to invest in them or care about the outcome. Some of the characters' actions and reactions to events seemed emotionally flat and unrealistic.

The idea of exploring actions and consequences and the folly of youth was an interesting one, and there were elements of the writing and performance that showed promise, but for me it didn't quite come off here and isn't a play that will stick in my memory I'm afraid.

The Box of Tricks, 24:7 Theatre Festival 23/7/14

Mike (Sam Thompson) always looked out for his younger brother Mark (Sam Moran) whilst they were growing up, even when their own parents failed them and Auntie Pat (Judy Holt) and Uncle Sean (Richard Sails) had to step into the breach. But now as they gather for Mark's funeral, along with his grieving fiancé Philippa (Kate Levelle), mark is strangely unmoved, and refusing to even carry his brother's coffin.

This play by Ric Brady and Stephen M Hornby told through a series of scenes that combine flashbacks of the brothers' history, with the tension of the night before the funeral, explores why two once close brothers became estranged and delves into Mike's complex feelings about his brother.

This is a moving play, with very strong subject matter, and some very touching scenes. I enjoyed the structure as you got glimpses of the brothers' relationship through the years and gradually understood what had led to this situation. However, some of what I felt should have been the strongest pivotal scenes, seemed to lack impact in their delivery, which was a shame. There were also an awful lot of 'issues' hinted at, including the illness of Sean, the depression of the boys' mother, Mark's sexuality and his fiancé's drug abuse, which were never explored and felt a bit surplus to requirements.

The final scene, despite a very strange directorial decision which lead to a third of the audience possibly not even noticing two actors were on stage, was extremely powerful and moving and well played by Sam Moran and brought a satisfying conclusion to the show. However, for me the play, whilst it had many good elements and performances, needs further development to deliver the impact that its subject matter promises.

Stuff, 24:7 Theatre Festival 23/7/14

Toby (Danny Ryder) and Jess (Eve Burley) want to start a family, but despite Jess's excessive planning and list making, and plenty of practise, Toby's 'little guys' have not proved equal to the task in hand. They receive a visit from their irrepressible and slightly eccentric friend Xav (Karl Greenwood) who makes an unusual offer that could possibly solve their problems, but Toby is none too keen. During the course of this lively and extremely funny play by Mick Cooper we touch on the themes of life, death, friendship and love, with a little bit of humus loving superhero thrown in for good measure.

I really enjoyed this play, it explores some quite serious themes yet manages to be pacey and fun, with plenty of laugh out loud moments. It also includes a few extremely touching elements, one particular moment almost had me in tears towards the end (and it’s quite unusual for me to weep in a theatre!). The staging was excellent, although it is all set in real time in one room, the use of space is well thought out and it makes the most of the layout of the Elphick stage.

All the cast were great and worked extremely well together. It took me a little time to warm to the character of Toby, but once he opened up he won me round. I enjoyed the lively interplay between good friends Jess and Xav, but the star player of the show has to be Greenwood as the irrepressible, Tigger-like Xav, excellent comic timing, boundless energy and one of the most impressive athletic leaps I've seen on stage in a while!

All in all, Stuff is Top Stuff!