On a new bridge before dawn, when mist is still swirling across the river, a young man (Duncan Riches) stands on the edge gearing himself up to jump. Before he does, he’s joined by a second young man (Jack Hesketh) with the same sorry intention. Between them, with some bleakly comic interaction, they manage to delay each other’s demise for a time with the help of a young woman (Amy Housley) who is mysteriously sweeping this as yet unopened bridge and putting in her tuppence worth to the situation.
Over the piece, each ‘jumper’ steps forward into the spotlight to deliver his solo revelations as to what’s brought him to the bridge and the drama of that is then acted out with (Lauren Waine) whose character turns out to be pivotal in the lives of these young men who end up being a threesome on the parapet.
This clever and inventive piece of new theatre has been created with a sensitive insight into issues such as the impact of stress, guilt and despair and the damage created through the lack of understanding in relationships; the lack of love. There are strong performances from Eddie Redmayne lookalike, Duncan Riches, Jack Hesketh and Amy Housley, who plays a few characters, but whose turns as a modern day Clarence from It’s a Wonderful Life is both significant and funny.
New Liverpool based theatre company Unearthed Theatre have taken their very own leap of faith in their debut visit to Edinburgh’s Fringe but it’s one that augurs well for this talented young group’s future.
The strong message of the immense importance of good mental health that is unravelled across this powerful play is delivered with skill and dark humour that shows a maturity in ones so young. They remind us that ‘the mist will clear’. Like the lives of these three young men, it’s worth catching.
Times: 15-28 Aug 2016 (not 29), 12.40pm.
Tickets: £7 (£5).