Testing Times
By Steve Burbridge
Newcastle People’s Theatre
Until Thursday 20th
November 2014
Local
musician Sam Dickinson’s brilliant “Learn To Wait” is playing as the three
actors come to the stage. They sit perched on high chairs and tell a story of
the lives of three people who are linked by love and the need to cope.
Christopher
Strain appears as Dominic, a young lad who has had to put up with homophobic
bullying throughout most of his life. At school his teachers felt such
behaviours were more acceptable than racism or sexism. His peers felt it was an
opportunity to abuse him verbally, physically and sexually. Christopher
portrays Dominic as an engaging individual who draws the audience into his
world without preaching or demanding the sympathy vote.
Chris
is Dominic’s partner and is made more believable by having some significant
differences whilst still being in a loving relationship. Dominic’s Mum is
Brenda and she has raised him the best way that a loving Mother could. Jamie
Brown and Pauline Fleming interact subtly as the story develops and react
facially as news is delivered.
Steve
Burbridge has written a play based upon the experiences of real people and the
descriptions of the behaviour of those not on the stage may seem shocking.
Perhaps life in 2014 isn’t as enlightened as one would hope. As the play
unfolds the nature of Dominic and Chris’ relationship is explored from the
first date. Not everyone comes out with
the response that you’d hope you would come out when big news is broken. Nor do
they, with hindsight, wish they say or do the things they do.
The
end result is a credible and satisfying play about the human condition and the
need for love and ultimately acceptance. This is a play which shows that the 1,385
people have been diagnosed HIV+ in the North East of England are not the only
ones affected.
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR
(www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen
@panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo.
On
The Web:
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/testingtimesplay
Tickets:
Adult
£11.50 and £9.50 Concessions
Monday
17 – Thursday 20 November, 2014 at 7.30pm
The
People’s Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF
Telephone:
0191 265 5020
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