A Fist Full Of Love

AXM

July 9th 2011                      

Callum Mitchell

5 out of 5

 

Writer/Director Kellie Taylor’s outstanding new play dealt with the sensitive issue of domestic abuse within a same sex relationship, using the characters of Loren, a struggling performer, and Samantha, the owner of a cabaret club, as its two main protagonists.

 The writing of the piece was practically flawless throughout. Characters felt real, shifts in behaviour were gradual and subtle, and scenes flowed seamlessly into one another. The original songs that were interspersed between the ‘traditional’ drama scenes were particularly effective, complimenting the action on stage without ever being too forceful of their presence.

The acting was sublime from the three lead actresses, Gemma Deerfield (Loren), Mary Hooton (Samantha), and Edwina Lea, who played Samantha’s half sister Charlotte. The chemistry between them was excellent, and really captured the audience’s attention throughout. The two dancers, Marianne Massey and Laura Hynes, were also brilliant; their movements harmonized beautifully with both each other and the music, and helped give a fresh new dynamic to the play. Drag act Anita Cock-Tail (played by Danny Idollor Jnr) featured at regular intervals throughout the piece, and provided some much needed light relief to proceedings.

The inevitable scenes of domestic abuse were indeed harrowing and gruelling to watch, but like everything else in the play, nothing ever felt forced or included simply to shock – the action was believable, like a slice of real life captured on stage.

So much love, care and attention to detail had clearly gone into the crafting of this performance. Everyone involved should feel proud of this exceptional piece of theatre that left its enraptured audience both stunned and moved.

 

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