Silver Pine Productions are back and on a mini tour; this time with 5 short plays by both Anna Girolani, the owner of the company and other local writers Greg Kelly and Andrew Husband.
The evening was actually quite short, and I think perhaps performing all five back-to-back without an interval would have been preferable. As it was, breaking after the first three meant that the second half seemed insubstantial and we were left wanting more! - maybe a deliberate ploy??
Using 11 performers creatively - they were 'background' and 'support' for the plays they didn't take a lead role in - this idea worked wonderfully, not just in filling out the narratives but also in creating a sense of 'company'.
Starting with Andrew Husband's debut play, 'All's Fair' this was indeed an extremely creditable piece of writing. It tells the story of jealousy and love from a couple of homosexual university friends and was given a very naturalistic and realistic treatment by director Daneka Etchells, whilst the love triangle tangle was convincingly played by three new-to-me names on the Manchester Fringe scene; Daniel Waterhouse, Kyle O'Neill, and Keaton Tylor-Lansley. Husband's script was urgent and current, with good use of banter-style humour to ease the tensions I do think though that the piece descended too quickly from light-hearted to quasi-tragic via an almost x-rated adult scene. I found the piece therefore stylistically a little confusing, but that notwithstanding, the characters were excellently drawn and the story compelling.
My favourite piece of the five came next. Despite a rather weak and unfulfilling ending this was a lovely little pastiche of remembering by Anna Girolani. A middle-aged daughter is clearing out and comes across a whole box full of old shoes. With her mother they decide which shoes to discard and as they pick up each pair, it triggers memories joyous but often sad, and this bitter-sweet minimalism was perfectly placed after 'All's Fair'. Again directed by Daneka Etchella, this starred Jaimie Rivers and Pat Brocklehurst.
This was followed by the least successful, a short piece of performance poetry - a duologue written in rhyme - by Greg Kelly called 'Reddish And Proud'. Samantha Siddall aided Kelly to perform this piece which was directed by Etchells once again. Far too much emphasis was put on the rhyme and so I found myself listening for the rhyme and counting the meter in preference to actually watching the piece for what it was - a paean to Reddish [ a town about 5 miles to the south of Manchester city and part of the metropolitan district of Stockport. ] It was a little bit of banter which sounded very much like a football match chant.
After the interval and the two final pieces, both from the pen of Girolani. 'GRRL PWR' was first, and told the story of a man who had been imprisoned after being accused of raping an 18 year old girl during a drunken night out; setting up a girls' only boxing club in his home town after his release, and coaching one of those girls to glory as she wins a national level competition. It's a very strong storyline and quite powerful. Once again I found the ending a little insubstantial, and wanted to learn more about both him (Fred) played sympathetically this evening by Steve Connolly, and the girl and the girl's mother [Tanika Coates and Ali Donohue respectively] There seemed to be a lot more that was left unsaid from all than was actually said, and I think if this play were to be lengthened and developed it would become a lot more satisfying.
Finally a short piece that I have already seen performed once. The last time was acted by three actresses and so for this, it was the turn of actors. Using the iconic Class Sketch from a 1966 TV broadcast of The Frost Report as her starting point, Girolani takes this a step further and develops it in a fun and creative way. With Girolani directing this piece herself this evening I much preferred it to the first time - perhaps because it is her writing and therefore has a much closer connection to the piece than the previous director had. Or maybe it just works better with men performing it. Whatever the case it proved a lovely comedy finish to the evening and was performed with panache by George Bawley, Greg Kelly and Andrew Husband.
Silver Pine Productions understand what Fringe theatre is all about; taking chances on new writing, new performers, new ideas; showing things which are still in their developmental stages and welcoming feedback; and giving a safe platform for creatives from all corners of the theatrical world to collaborate and enjoy their creating, without relaxing her high production values. Bravo!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 23/9/18
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