Soft
Boy - touring
Playwright - John Binnie
Director - Mary Gapinski
Company - West Lothian Youth Theatre
Venues and Dates - 21 - 24 June at 8pm Traverse Edinburgh
0131 228 1404
28 - 30 June at 7:30pm Tron Theatre Glasgow 0141 552 4267
Reviewer - Kenny Morrison
Soft Boy is a refreshingly good piece of theatre. It is well
written, extremely well acted with an incredibly slick production. The
characters are a group of young people, some still at school, others
just left whose lives touch each others' in a small Scottish town. Growing
up each have their own problems which they face with at once sorrow
and joy, difficulty and ease - helping each other through it.
Softie is a reclusive boy, just left school, fat, depressed about his
place in the world and eventually unable to cope. His brother, Junior,
seems to have a much easier time of it than him, in fact everybody does.
Cara, who is blind, is the strongest of all the characters, funny and
fiesty. The same night she meets Softie, one gets the impression, she
becomes an immediately important part of his life. She is extremely
likeable and precocious and Kimberley Stewart’s performance is
really quite special.
Though Ms Stewart stands out, all the acting is of a very high standard.
The movement and scene changes work extremely well, with a simple set,
just two (rather dangerous looking) benches, are used to great effect.
In scenes without the whole cast, the other cast members become the
set, standing in positions at the back, pretending to be on the phone
and sometimes giving their opinions. The music is excellently chosen,
with contemporary pop and older songs, which work very well, always
at the right moment. Sound effects are sufficient and practical, and
again work well.
Soft Boy is an energy-filled and heartwarming piece of drama,
that gives one extreme faith in the future. It is also proof that youth
theatre really can hold its own. I hope these young actors continue
acting.
© Kenny Morrison 21 June 2001
Cast: Tricia Charlotte Dornan Liam Alex Reynolds Softie
Nicol Hay Marybeth Kirsten Burnett Junior Callum Stewart
Cara Kimberley Stewart and Lara Kim Chapman
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