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Show: Feel
Society: Proforca Theatre Company
Venue: Lion & Unicorn Theatre, Kentish Town London NW5 2ED
Credits: By James Lewis, Directed by David Brady
Type: Sardines
Performance Date: 28/03/2018
Feel
Jess Pether | 29 Mar 2018 22:31pm
I love unicorns. Was this one of the reasons I wanted to see Feel at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town? Maybe. But mainly, I like to challenge myself when it comes to theatre and try to watch things that may put me out of my comfort zone (which, I will freely admit, is pretty much anything that falls within the category of glittery, camp, jazz-handy musical theatre. Or Les Mis.).
The opening quote on the website for the play is as follows: “One day, maybe even tomorrow, and maybe only once, I want to wake up and feel it. Feel like today is the day when I’m not going to feel so bloody awful and alone all the time…” Without getting all deep and meaningful towards you dear reader (i.e. a bunch of strangers), this sort of mirrors my life in some ways. Single for years and getting older, this resonated with me and made me want to go and see the play. I wanted to watch the two couples the play is based around and see how they handled this tricky set of feelings; the lows, the struggles and the sadness.
Feel really was a story of two halves. Karen (Gemma Wray) and Nick (James Vincent) meet on a bench at a train station, when their trains are constantly delayed and she starts chatting to him. Naomi (Isobel Eadie) and Jamie (Jonathon George) meet in a club and drunkenly head back to his to hook up. But neither relationship pans out quite as you might predict. Oh, and then there’s Brenda from UKIP. A character we never see, but we all hate her, right?
For me, there was a clear half of this story I enjoyed more than the other; I was rooting for Karen and Nick from the minute Karen opened her mouth. Cheeky and northern, she reminded me a little of myself (I’m not northern, but I am cheeky!). Stuck in a dead end job as a PA (or was it an Office Manager?), she was a failed actress and felt that life was passing her by. Nick, a quiet writer, was more reluctant to come out of his shell but eventually, the two start to build a relationship on that same bench every day.
Set over six weeks in May and June 2016, the character development in this play was well done, both within the script (written by James Lewis) and by the actors. As soon as Karen and Nick started interacting at the train station, I could tell that this was going to be a partnership I would enjoy watching. The pair were so natural together; it was like they weren’t acting at all. Although the scene was very static, it was engaging and in no way did my attention waver. They made me smile, laugh and I just wanted it all to work out as a happy ending.
Jamie and Naomi’s story was more difficult to watch. She was complicated, messed up and spiky. In fact, a real bitch. In fact, by the end of the show, I bloody hated her! Jamie was also complicated… also messed up… but was lovely and kind. This obviously made me hate Naomi even more. Although both actors were good (clearly you weren’t meant to like Naomi, so Isobel did a great job here!), I failed to connect much with this side of the story. Their script at times reminded me of hit 90’s US TV show, Dawson’s Creek. The characters in that were supposed to be about 16, yet they spoke like pretentious 35 year olds. Sometimes I just didn’t believe the characters would say what they did, particularly Naomi who seemed to rarely understand what Jamie was saying even when he’d spelt something out. Maybe this was supposed to be part of her awkward character but it just made me a little frustrated.
Without giving anything away, both couples begin a journey that sees them grow closer and more involved. A cancelled train means that Nick and Karen end up drunk and in bed together, but then a secret is revealed that tugs at your heart strings and you just know this is going to end sadly. On the flip-side, why Jamie and Naomi spend so much time together over the next six weeks is beyond me, as they don’t seem to have any fun, but I suppose this is all part of how messed up they both are. He at one point tells her she’s like crack, so there’s obviously a strange addiction there.
The set was minimal, which was necessary in this tiny space, and worked well. I liked the short musical interludes that indicated the end of each scene and the cast had their swift scene changes spot on. The main confusing thing was why Karen kept wearing a huge winter coat with furry hood, a scarf and a woolly hat when it was supposed to be June…
Three of the four characters had short monologues which they delivered with real feeing to the audience. However, Naomi didn’t get the chance, which was a little odd (although I didn’t really mind!). Overall, I really enjoyed this show. It was engaging and I wanted to know what happened next. The stand out performance for me came from Gemma Wray as Karen, who I would love to go for a drink with! But a big congratulations to everyone. You made this observational story something to really think about.
- : admin
- : 28/03/2018