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| Edinburgh : A&E : Theatre : Reviews |
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Theatre listings > The Collection. - Tour. Playwright - Mike Cullen. Director - Michael Emans. Designer - Lyn McAndrew. Lighting Designer - Robbie Fraser. Props - Mike Tibbetts. Company - Rapture Theatre Company - Company Website. Cast - here . 2006 Tour Dates and Times - here . Seen to review at Citizens Theatre Glasgow on 22 April 2006. Run Time - 2 Hours 15 mins including 15min interval. Reviewer - Graham Riach. Hard-boiled but... There is a lot of darkness in this play. A dimly lit debt-collectors' office gives the impression of rain falling both inside and out. A single block of faux-granite serves consecutively as gravestone and desk. The pattern on the black linoleum brings to mind a smashed mirror reflecting the blackest hour of the night. Or possibly crazy paving. A low grumble from the speakers bodes ill for whomsoever dare step on the stage. Think Bladerunner on the coast of Scotland, i.e. dour and stuck 15 years in the past. This whole setting smacks to me of cliché, despite some valiant efforts from the cast. The play centres on Bob Lawson, the best debt-collector in the business. He's tough, speaks his mind, and always makes the collection. He is, unsurprisingly, haunted by demons, which he tries to drown in drink. As the truth about his demons, and his conduct, comes into the open, a power struggle ensues with his co-workers, taking them through a selection of gritty set-pieces, to a moderately surprising conclusion. Jimmy Chisholm stands out in particular, bringing a sensitive touch to the role, without seeming forced or hackneyed. Stewart Porter is also strong, enacting the transformation from hesitant trainee to heartless veteran with considerable skill. Fletcher Mathers and Paul Thomas Hickey have more of a struggle to squeeze life from what is a very tired genre. I should make it clear that I am not a fan of hard-boiled, Taggart style drama, so my impression of Mike Cullen's writing is marred by the style of play he has written. A lot of his dialogue has power, and is natural in the moments when he casts off the binding ropes of cliché. Sadly, by confining himself to a genre of drama where truisms provide the bulk of the material, his talents are not given a suitable outlet. ©Graham Riach 22 April 2006 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Cast - Lawson - Jimmy Chisholm, Shaw - Stewart Porter, Cravis - Paul Thomas Hickey and Elena - Fletcher Mathers. 2006 Tour Details of Rapture Theatre's production of The Collection. Tour begins 20 - 29 April at 7.30pm ( not Sun and Mon) Glasgow Citizens Theatre 0141 429 0022. 1 May at 7.30pm Balmaclellan Village Hall 01644 420374. 2 May at 7:30pm Kirkcaldy Adam Smith Theatre 01592 412929. 3 May at 7:30pm Peebles The Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre 01721 725777. 4 May at 7:30pm Rutherglen Eastfield Community Centre 0141 6418319. 6 May at 7.30pm Paisley Arts Centre 0141 887 1010. 8 May at 7:30pm Whithorn The Swallow Theatre 01988 850368. 9 May at 7:30pm Crawford John Hall 01864504265. 10 & 11 May at 8pm St Andrews The Byre Theatre 01334 475000. 12 May at 7:30pm Mussellburgh The Brunton Theatre 0131 665 2240. 13 May at 7:30pm Greenock Arts Guild Theatre 01475 723038. 16 May at 7:30pm North Edinburgh Arts Centre 0131 315 2151. 17 May at 7:30pm Livingston Howden Park Centre 01506 433634. 18 May at 7:45pm Cumbernauld Theatre 01236 732887. 19 May at 8pm Stirling The Tolbooth Theatre 01786 274000. 20 May at 8pm Easdale Island 01852300113. 21 May at 8pm Mull Little Theatre, Dervaig, 01688 302673. 25 & 26 May at 8pm East Kilbride Arts Centre 013552 61000. 27 May at 7:30pm Kilmarnock Palace Theatre 01563 554900. Tour ends. Theatre Editor, Thelma Good's e-mail is thelma@edinburghguide.com Although every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in these pages, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors or omissions. |
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