Two Brand New One-Act Plays

Messenger Review

Get in on the act

One-act play showcase at the Lauriston Studio
RELATIONSHIPS. They cause us so much pain and stress, yet what would we be without them.
That bizarre and sometimes ludicrous dance is also one of the true pleasures in life and forms the subject of two new one-act plays at theGet Garrick's Lauriston Studio.

The Lift and The Opposite of Claustrophobic are by no means conventional studies of the human interactions that forge our being, however.
Both plays offer a warm, moving and frequently humourous take on these relationships and there are moments here that everyone can relate too.
All too frequently I found myself nodding my head knowingly at the stories unfolding before me, despite my relative lack of years.

The Lift is the best example of this. It focuses on a husband and wife (Andrew and Amanda) whose marriage has broken down due to his infidelity and takes place just after the pair have left their solicitor's office following a meeting for their divorce.
But during the course of an ill-fated lift journey they are forced to confront their marital difficulties, with the help of a mysterious, Christian lift attendant - maybe the voice of their collective conscience.
There are plenty of laughs to be had, and Alex Wilson and Victoria Johnson enjoy a perfect chemistry as the sniping couple.
The Lift, however, is more than that and offers an interesting window into a marriage where communication has broken down, outlining the futility of conflict in the face of our fragile existence.

In comparison, The Opposite of Claustrophobic is an almost tragic piece.

Ann (Ros Greenwood) is not only trapped by the mental confines of an abusive relationship but by the physical confines of her own house, as a suffering agoraphobic.
But an unexpected visitor, the somewhat unconventional burglar Joe (Duncan Battman), brings with him a strange sense of hope and offers Ann a chance to face her fears.
The subject matter here is handled with a wonderful tenderness and the writing is rich in symbolism.
It offers a perfect balance between tragedy and absurdity, carried off well by the two performers, and despite the issues at the play's core, it offers hope.
The two pieces combine to form an enjoyable, yet challenging whole.
Until Saturday June 9 at the Lauriston Studio. Tickets cost £5 or £4 for concessions and are available from the Garrick box office on 0161 928 1677

Altrincham Garrick’s intimate Lauriston Studio Theatre is the perfect setting for small-scale one act plays. So, their decision to present two new works by local writers was a good idea.

Although very different, Peter Harrison’s ‘The Lift’ and Rob Johnston’s “The Opposite of Claustrophobic” have some things in common. They both spotlight human relationships and they both have unexpected endings.

Peter’s play features a married couple who have decided to part because of the husband’s liaison with an office temp. After visiting their solicitor, they take the lift, which sticks between floors. A third, unseen person, a religious nut named Charlie, calls down to them warning that the elevator suffers from metal fatigue and the rope is frayed.

Adversity can drive people together and the couple, Andrew and Amanda find themselves clinging to each other in terror, their differences forgotten. “Don’t let go – that is the secret” says Charlie. But you have to see it to know what happens eventually.

This is not Peter’s first play. Several others have appeared to widespread acclaim at the Edinburgh and Buxton Fringes. His fear of lifts gave him the idea for this, one of a trilogy with spooky themes. “Every time I get in a lift, I have a funny feeling and think what if something happens,” he said.

Rob isn’t a beginner either. His plays have been performed at the 24:7 Manchester Festival and in Scotland. Talking about “The Opposite of Claustrophobic”, he said “First impressions are usually not that accurate. In my play, you think people are one thing and they turn out to be another. Everyone has a good side.”

I doubt if you would consider the good side of a burglar who breaks into your home. But Joe turns out to be the rescuer of Ann, a woman with an inconsiderate husband, who has been trapped in her home for two years. Victoria Johnson and Alex Wilson hit the right note in the strained relationship between the couple in “The Lift” and David-Leathlean’s hidden, booming voice sends chills down spines. Top marks to the lighting and sound team who created the illusion of an elevator.

Duncan Battman and Ros Greenwood are good sparring partners in “The Opposite of Claustrophobic”. I was impressed with Ros’s handling of an axe with which she threatened her ‘burglar’.

 

End of Season Review

Mark Butt

The final Lauriston Studio production in June was a ‘New Writing’ showcase featuring two local writers. ‘The Lift’ by Peter Harrison and ‘The Opposite of Claustrophobic’ by Rob Johnston were extremely challenging pieces to stage. Both plays dealt with similar issues of relationships and how two people can be drawn together in the face of adversity and although they differed greatly in style and content, they actually combined to create an absorbing and enlightening whole. Hugh Wolfson took on the challenge of directing both these plays with superb results. There were lovely performances and great chemistry between Victoria Johnson and Alex Wilson in ‘The Lift’ and, let us not forget, the ghostly voice of David Leathlean who definitely deserved a bow but never actually got one! Duncan Battman and the axe-wielding Ros Greenwood portrayed two seemingly tragic and disturbed individuals in ‘The Opposite of Claustrophobic’. With great warmth and honesty they revealed a beautiful tenderness between the two characters despite the absurdity of their situation. Both actors must be congratulated on getting this balance just right. The ‘New Writing’ show epitomised exactly what The Lauriston Studio is all about, giving local writers a chance to have their plays staged and giving audiences something fresh, challenging and exciting in an intimate setting; a perfect and fitting way to bring down the curtain on The Lauriston Studio’s first season.
There have been some outstanding performances this season from everybody involved with The Lauriston Studio and I don’t just mean from those who get the applause onstage. Full credit and standing ovations must go to all the technical and backstage staff, ASM’s, set builders and front of house staff who have all contributed to a sensational first season in The Lauriston Studio. Long may it continue!