Southwark Playhouse, London
Within their focus on human fragility, there is something defiantly forceful about the eight new plays written for Theatre Uncut. Playwrights including Mark Ravenhill, Lucy Kirkwood, Jack Thorne and David Greig have offered unique responses to the cuts to public spending, and each is deftly handled by an up-and-coming director. Some issue their rallying cries boldly. In Ravenhill's A Bigger Banner, a 50s woman's optimism about democracy in 2010 makes for uncomfortable viewing. Others catch you unexpectedly: in Laura Lomas's Open Heart Surgery, talking head Lisa reflects that tearing something up is easy; the challenge lies in "the putting it back together". The diversity of the plays is such that the evening doesn't peak and trough but, rather, branches out in all directions. Feeling his voice is futile, in Greig's Fragile, mental-health patient Jack drenches himself in petrol, ready to set himself alight. Caroline, played by the audience reading dialogue aloud, convinces him otherwise. This moment captures the collaborative spirit of the evening: I am using my voice, and others are too ? saying the same thing, at the same time. There's strength in that.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/mar/20/theatre-uncut-ravenhill-greig-review
Mikel Arteta Northern Ireland Transfer window Human rights UK security and terrorism Liverpool
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