Last night we enjoyed another two one act plays:

Two by Jim Cartwright performed by Rushen Players

We were introduced to the comic bickering between man & wife, Landlord & Landlady of our northern pub. Along the way came interesting pub characters and a hint of ‘something afoot’.
We have all met theses people in pubs, the lonely old man, the other woman, and the ‘strange couples’. Their backstories, partially revealed and individually expanded by each and every audience member.

Just as in The Father on Monday, the skeleton in the cupboard, the death of a child, is revealed and the world comes crashing down. Is this the end of the relationship? Perhaps, in the final scene we see a glimmer of hope of reconciliation.
Entertaining, comedy and tragedy, It’s why we go to live theatre. Thank you Rushen Players.

Viral by Maria McConville performed by Platform Theatre School

We witnessed a young ‘cast of thousands’ expertly introduce us to the dynamic and scary world of young people’s social media.

As Chris said in an aside, “I’ve never been so gad to be old”. Was this a foretaste of Caryl Churchill’s dystopian world coming to reality? There were some despicable characters portrayed by these lovely youngsters along with others with compassion and high morals who could see the damage being caused. I think there is hope for us in the future with young people like this!

The Greek chorus was wonderfully effective
and frightening at the same time.  Thank you Platform Theatre School for a dramatic piece of theatre.

– Ron Beswick

Tonight we have Wellington Theatre Company presenting 1984 by George Orwell

Winston Smith is in prison, found guilty of Thoughtcrimes against Big Brother.

As part of his reconstruction, he must re-enact key moments from his past life, with the help of other thought criminals, so that everyone can learn from his mistakes. Including his biggest mistake of all: falling in love with Julia.
Constructed almost entirely from dialogue taken from the original novel this bold and powerful dramatisation restores the blazing heart of Orwell’s work: a doomed love story, with the lovers at its centre.

This is a terrific and terrifying play about what could happen, or is it happening now! Considering it was written 75 years ago it makes events that are happening today stunning and scary.

NB The subject matter of this play could be upsetting