Crossings was written by Clare Duffy in 2002 as part of her MA in Scriptwriting at the University of Glamorgan and was later commissioned by Sgript Cymru, Wales’ new writing company. We follow the literal and emotional journey of Jane, a teenage lesbian with a history of self-harm, as she embarks on a quest to discover the true story behind the mysterious death of her best friend, rent boy Sam. Along the way we are introduced to some of the people close to the two friends and invited to explore their relationships with each other and with the troubled heroine. The ghost of Sam accompanies Jane on her voyage, goading her and pushing her towards self-discovery.

The outstanding success of the play lies in the characters, which are believable and multi-layered, with each personality, from Jane’s guilt-wracked volatile mother to Adam, an emotionally impenetrable student, eliciting considerable empathy from the audience. Though the dialogue between the characters is well written and believable it's let down at times by stilted, uncomfortable acting. The interactions within the three couples in particular are often awkward and self-conscious, with a scene involving rough sex between Adam and his 48 year old professor lover Stephen verging on embarrassing.

Duffy’s writing is at its most poetic in the thread of fable, narrated by Jane, which is deftly woven through the story and becomes the means by which she is able to begin healing. It is this role as storyteller that allows Michelle Luther, as Jane, to fully exhibit her considerable acting talent, imbuing the excellent climactic scene on the beach where Sam died with a sense of deep reverence.

Crossings is a challenging and confrontational play which, though at times overwhelmed by disparate issues and superfluous dialogue, carries a powerful message about an aimless generation bombarded with a multitude of possibilities but denied the knowledge to choose the direction that will lead to their happiness.
©Ruth Clowes 15 June 2005 – Published on EdinburghGuide.com

Cast - Adam – Paul Amos, Rob – Jem Dobbs, Bethan – Eiry Hughes, Jane –
Michelle Luther, Stephen – Jamie Newall, Ruth – Clêr Stephens, Sam –
Dylan Williams.

Theatre Editor, Thelma Good's e-mail is thelma@edinburghguide.com

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