Danny, one of the two characters in Joseph Skelton’s play
Fat Jewels, has an obsession with his home being ‘toasty’ and is incessantly
fiddling with the temperature control of the heater. There was no need last
night at The Hope Theatre as the room must have been over 30 degrees and, to
say the least, the genuinely valiant actors – and audience – suffered for their
art. Was it worth all the suffering? You bet your battered frozen chicken!
Set in ‘a South Yorkshire council estate. Pat’s having strange
dreams. He can’t shake them. He’s gone round to Danny’s for a chat and some
healthy advice. Lonely and dangerous, Danny insists that what Pat needs is a
therapy programme of Danny’s own making, involving cricket bats and trips to the
zoo…’ That is the given synopsis, but
Raving Mask’s production of Fat Jewels is much more than this and only
scratches the surface of a very intricate plot that twists and turns, is
menacingly dazzling and compelling in its total brilliance. Joseph Skelton has
sincerely woven a frightening, irresistible piece of theatre.
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| Hugh Train as Pat and Robert Walters as Danny |
Director Luke Davies has drawn unique, intricate, intimidating,
tour de force (literally feat of strength) performances from Walters and Train.
Fat Jewels is a play that should be seen at all costs – however toasty the
room! Theatrical experiences and accomplishments like this don’t come along
every day.
Fat Jewels plays at The Hope Theatre until 21 July
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