Weald is playwright, Dan Foxsmith’s, third full length play. It’s well written and observant, thought provoking and emotional. The play is humourous in parts with some good one liners.
“The farm was there, wasn’t going anywhere. It was solid, physical. Flagstones. Timber. Place housed the hopes and fears of hundreds of people, and I cast it to one side, just like that, because I was blindsided. All I needed to do was stand firm like the rest, take a breath and I’d’ve been fine. Break heart, drop blood, done. Always take a breath Jim. Always take a breath.”
On a remote livery yard in rural England, Jim arrives ‘home’ after eight years away, in need of work. It didn’t end so well last time, but he’s sure that this time it’ll be different…
Sam, as old as the fixtures and fittings themselves, reluctantly agrees – there’s work to be done after all. As the men attempt to pick up from where they left off, fresh cracks appear beside old wounds. Things have changed. But the world can only be held at bay for so long before the two men will have to answer for their actions.
A terse and delicate dissection of male emotions from a rural perspective: fathers and sons, honour and legacy, molasses and mud.
The play starts with Sam (David Crellin) singing an unaccompanied “folk style” song. Jim (Dan Parr) then appears begging Sam for work, and after a discussion and a lot of thought by Sam he agrees to take him on and so begins this brilliant two header.
The set is simple but depicts a livery yard well. The actors working with/tending to the invisible horses is clever and is enhanced by some excellent lighting. The music is good and is in keeping with the tone of the play. Fun scenes include them observing a man who’s recently moved to a farm close to the yard; Jim trying to teach Sam how to use a smartphone and a game of darts during which Sam discusses Keith Deller’s rise and fall with Jim.
Invalid Displayed Gallery
The actors work very well together and manage to capture the essence of the relationship between Sam and Jim, which is both fractious and respectful, as they try to understand why each other’s lives have turned out the way they have. Sam likes to make Shakespeare, Marlowe and Cromwell like speeches and these monologues are superbly delivered by David Crellin. Dan Parr’s Sam has slightly more humourous dialogue which again is well delivered. There is some strong language but it is not offensive and is in keeping with the story.
The final scene starts with Jim singing the same song Sam was singing at the start and the play’s ending is heartwarming. I thought Weald was excellent and is well worth going to see, particularly if, like me, you’re a fan of two header plays.
Review by Karen Pond
In association with the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, and supported by BBC Performing Arts Fund Legacy Grant, the world premiere of Weald by award-winning new playwright Daniel Foxsmith.
On a remote livery yard in rural England, Jim arrives ‘home’ after eight years away, in need of work. It didn’t end so well last time, but he’s sure that this time it’ll be different…
Sam, as old as the fixtures and fittings themselves, reluctantly agrees – there’s work to be done after all. As the men attempt to pick up from where they left off, fresh cracks appear beside old wounds. Things have changed. But the world can only be held at bay for so long before the two men will have to answer for their actions.
A terse and delicate dissection of male emotions from a rural perspective: fathers and sons, honour and legacy, molasses and mud.
Weald is Daniel Foxsmith’s third full length play. It is directed by Bryony Shanahan, director of critically acclaimed shows Operation Crucible and Bitch Boxer. Both, along with Charlotte Josephine, are co-Artistic Directors of multi-award winning Snuff Box Theatre.
Cast:
Sam – David Crellin
Jim – Dan Parr
Creatives:
Written by Dan Foxsmith
Directed by Bryony Shanahan
Produced by Jake Orr
Assistant Producer Sofia Stephanou
Designed by Christopher Hone
Lighting by Seth Rook Williams
Sound by Peter Rice
Artistic Collaborator – Charlotte Josephine
Weald
By Daniel Foxsmith
2nd – 27th February 2016
Finborough Theatre
Finborough Theatre
118 Finborough Road
London
SW10 9ED
http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/