This was this reviewer's last Greater Manchester Fringe production for this year, and I could not have finished on anything better. 'On Me' is a difficult watch.. it's uncomfortable, but truthful, and it is a play that everyone needs to see.
Directed by Helen Parry, Caroline Lamb's script is just about as close to verbatim writing as one could get; it's visceral, simplistic, and poignant. Dealing with sexual abuse, rape, and how women feel afraid and victimised by men, and are often left heavily traumatised by their experiences, this play doesn't pull any punches at all. It considers both sides of the equation too, allowing an honest and decent young man, to feel besmirched and dirty, unsure of how to talk to, let alone woo or get involved with, a young lady anymore.
The plot is interesting. A young actor and actress (Maurice and Christian) have been hired to film a reconstruction of a 'true crime' rape drama; and in so doing the divisions between their real characters and those they are portraying become a little blurred - especially when they both realise that they actually do 'fancy' each other. The detail of the rape case is graphic and hard to take in for both of them, and it affects the way they think and interact with each other the more they film, preventing them from taking their relationship any further. The actress also has to keep a third eye out for a dodgy looking AD too...!
"Women need to know how to keep themselves safe from people like that."
The Seven Oaks pub venue was absolutely not ideal for this production, but Parry had created three separate playing spaces and despite the entire acting area being able to fit on the back of a postage stamp, they worked with it superbly. This was a most sensitively and sensibly directed production, and it has truly made me think. Fully deserving of a better venue and a wider audience.
ps... I have been unable to find any programme anywhere - not even on the company's own website, and so sadly am unable to credit the four actors who performed in this play. However, the casting was first rate, and their acting was genuine, heartfelt, and thoroughly visceral. Superb.
ps... I have been unable to find any programme anywhere - not even on the company's own website, and so sadly am unable to credit the four actors who performed in this play. However, the casting was first rate, and their acting was genuine, heartfelt, and thoroughly visceral. Superb.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 30.7.22
on - 30.7.22
ADDENDUM: cast list as follows: (kindly supplied by the company) -
Shona (Maryse in the true crime documentary) - Leah Eddleston
Christian (Anton in the true crime documentary) - Alexi Papadopoulos
The Director - Brandon Worrall
The Clapper Loader - Sean McGlynn
Stage Manager - Sabine Sulmeistere
Hi Matthew - thank you so much for this wonderful review! I sincerely apologise that you were unable to locate a programme; we placed these on seats prior to each performance, but yours may have been removed by another audience member. It is now on our website: https://dangeroustoknow.org/2022/08/01/on-me-programme/
ReplyDeleteThe full cast list is below:
Cast:
Shona (Maryse in the true crime documentary) - Leah Eddleston.
Christian (Anton in the true crime documentary) - Alexi Papadopoulos
The Director - Brandon Worrall
The Clapper Loader - Sean McGlynn
Stage Manager - Sabine Sabine Sulmeistere