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Looking set for the distance
The Loneliness of The Long Distance Runner
Birmingham Repertory Company The Old Rep, Birmingham **** As
the country bathes in it's summer
of Olympic triumph, Pilot Theatre Company are clearly hoping to
tap into the public's appetite for all things athletic. With
Chariots of Fire
doing the business in the West End and now this play embarking on a
national tour, there are clearly opportunities being taken
. . . .and why not? Roy Williams adaptation of
Alan Sillitoe's 1959 novel of the same title, is loyal to the original
themes whilst bringing it bang up to date to David Cameron's riot torn
Britain of 2011. The central character, Colin
Smith ( Elliot Barnes - Worrell), rages against a society that offers
him few chances. Running provides a release for him, an escape from the
dog eat dog lifestyle on the streets. Sent down to a Young
Offender's Prison, Colin keeps on running, giving him a focus and a
means of blocking out the inevitable stresses of institutional life. His
governor sees his potential and is keen to encourage him. A supportive
gesture? A genuine attempt to help? It would be nice to think so. Central themes in this play
are clear. Class divides, youth disenchantment, life choices, rebellion
. . . these are all here in abundance. Anger prevails too, but
interestingly the point is made that whilst riots in the 1980s were
genuinely fueled by real anger and frustration , those in 2011 were more
about materialistic greed. POLITICAL
CHANGE A desire for expensive
trainers and 42 inch televisions seemed to replace a call for political
change. In effect, the rioters had turned into the capitalists they once
railed against.
Part of Designer, Lydia
Denno's challenge here is to find an effective way of letting Colin
actually run on stage. A huge feature of Tony Richardson's 1963 film
were the stark, wide open scenes of Colin running through bleak
landscapes. Not an easy re- creation for a
theatre space. Denno's solution is simple but extremely effective. A
travelator, similar to those found in airports, runs down the centre
of the stage whilst projections to the back and side portray a variety
of locations. Barnes - Worrell displays impressive physical fitness as
he delivers speech after speech whilst running at some pace. Performances all round are
solid. Dominic Gately hits just the right balance as the prison
governor, Stevens, trying to put Colin exactly where he wants him.
Doreene Blackstock offers tough love as Colin's mum while Richard Pepple
draws two characters beautifully as the dad and mum's new lover, Trevor.
Curtis Cole menaces well as Luke and Jack McMullen is perhaps the most
streetwise as Jase. Savannah Gordon - Liburd plays hard to get
with conviction - showing a gentler side to her initial tough exterior.
Luke James, Alix Ross and Sean Sagar complete a fine cast. Looking around the rather
impressive Old Rep theatre , there was an encouraging mix of ages in the
audience. That can only be a positive thing. Plays need to be good to
bring people out on a wet Tuesday night - an especially difficult task
for brand new plays such as this one. It's made a great start
though...let's hope it makes the distance. A York Theatre Royal / Pilot
Theatre production, to 06-10-12 Tom Roberts
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