The White Cliffs - World Premiere
Part of A Play, A Pie and A Pint 2005 Spring season at lunchtime at Òran Mòr.

Playwright - Suhayl Saadi.
Director - David MacLennan.
Designer - Adrienne Atkinson.
Design Assistant - Rebecca Armstrong.
Producer - David Maclennan.
Company - A Play, A Pie & A Pint.
Cast - here .
Venue - Òran Mòr, 731 - 735 Great Western Road nr Glasgow's Botanics at junction with Byres Rd. Tickets - at door or bookable beforehand at 08700 132 652 or www.secc.co.uk
Dates - 9 - 14 May 2005.
Run Time - Doors open at 12.30pm, show runs from 1:10pm. Performance lasts around 40 minutes.
Reviewer - Jay Dee.

Beguiling experience

The White Cliffs was this reviewer's very first outing to Oran Mor's highly successful season of A Play, A Pie and A Pint, sponsored by Orange and I have to admit I was rather enchanted by the whole experience. An American friend of mine had described the horror of the transatlantic version - Dinner Theatre; failing actors struggle to perform some heavyweight classic to disinterested diners with a constant soundtrack of clanking cutlery, so I was a little worried about the idea of an audience munching and slurping through the play.

I needn't have worried. The audience at the Oran Mor were deeply respectful when the play began and watched intently. What was even more beguiling about the experience was the friendly, open atmosphere in the space - the audience were relaxed and comfortable (extra leg room provided by lunch tables much appreciated!).

The play itself was both intelligent and intrigiung. The premise is simple: a writer suffering from writers block travels to Eastbourne in search of inspiration in the sea views. He meets and falls in love with a mysterious French waitress and, in doing so, rediscovers his craft. Where this play manages to be original is in the detail of the lovers' relationship.

Lily, hauntingly played by Pauline Knowles, is tortured by some evil in her past and as Adam, Vincent Friel, tries to reach out to her he is drawn into an experience which is not as obvious as it seems. The language of the play is deeply lyrical and delves into historical events and themes with sensitivity and melancholy.

At times it is overly wordy; there is the feeling that too much information has been crammed into the play's 45 minute running time, but the history is played out with such committment and emotion by the two person cast that the audience's attention is held throughout. The direction, by David MacLennan who is also the producer for this theatrical venture, and the design are simple and very effective - the onus is very much on the performers who absolutely deliver. All in all, this was a very pleasant way to spend a lunchtime.

© Jay Dee, 10th May 2005 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com
Cast - Adam - Vincent Friel and Lily - Pauline Knowles.

Theatre Editor, Thelma Good's e-mail is thelma@edinburghguide.com

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