June 23, 2011
A loutish car playing bass heavy music and an amusement arcade both interrupt Lance (a wonderful turn from Daniel Lawson) in his search for coins. So starts Kathryn Duffy’s one act play Treading Water, directed by Jason Webb with a design by Sharn Whitehead, one half of her Seize the Day series.
We are then introduced to Sue (Kathryn Duffy) and Carol (Jenny Walters), two lifeguards. Sue is a shy individual, Carol is more vivacious yet clearly in an unhappy marriage despite trying to celebrate a ‘Happy Birthday’.
Duffy’s play is one that is rare to find today, a play that is both funny and sensitive without being confused as to what it is. The characters are fleshed out so realistically that you are swept up in the play almost instantly and it never drops your attention.
Highlights go from the off-hand search for keys that begins with a rant and ends with a simple ‘oh no here they are’ through to the more dramatic throwing of cake, with a great moment in between when one of the lifeguards heads into the sea to rescue a ‘boy’ or ‘buoy’ only to return, drenched, holding one of the nation's most commonly found items.
All the performances were of a very high quality. Walters plays Carol with aplomb, the confident friend not confident enough to explore her own unhappiness but more than happy to lend advice to others. We all know a Carol and Walters should be commended for her portrayal. Duffy is the perfect foil to the outgoing nature of Carol with her performance as Sue. It's subtle, sweet and you find yourself really rooting for her and Lance’s burgeoning relationship. It is clear the director has allowed a natural sea breeze to run over the actors and should be commended for encouraging such well based performances.
My friend and I were part of a small but highly appreciative Thursday night audience, and while I haven’t seen A Head for Heights the quality of Duffy’s work displayed in Treading Water leads me to believe these two plays must be highlights of this year' Oxfringe. So, take Duffy’s advice, Seize The Day and head down to the Simpkins Lee Theatre and enjoy an evening at the theatre for a low price not reflective of the high quality of theatre. In fact, you’ll struggle to find a better way to part with less than a tenner this weekend!
We are then introduced to Sue (Kathryn Duffy) and Carol (Jenny Walters), two lifeguards. Sue is a shy individual, Carol is more vivacious yet clearly in an unhappy marriage despite trying to celebrate a ‘Happy Birthday’.
Duffy’s play is one that is rare to find today, a play that is both funny and sensitive without being confused as to what it is. The characters are fleshed out so realistically that you are swept up in the play almost instantly and it never drops your attention.
Highlights go from the off-hand search for keys that begins with a rant and ends with a simple ‘oh no here they are’ through to the more dramatic throwing of cake, with a great moment in between when one of the lifeguards heads into the sea to rescue a ‘boy’ or ‘buoy’ only to return, drenched, holding one of the nation's most commonly found items.
All the performances were of a very high quality. Walters plays Carol with aplomb, the confident friend not confident enough to explore her own unhappiness but more than happy to lend advice to others. We all know a Carol and Walters should be commended for her portrayal. Duffy is the perfect foil to the outgoing nature of Carol with her performance as Sue. It's subtle, sweet and you find yourself really rooting for her and Lance’s burgeoning relationship. It is clear the director has allowed a natural sea breeze to run over the actors and should be commended for encouraging such well based performances.
My friend and I were part of a small but highly appreciative Thursday night audience, and while I haven’t seen A Head for Heights the quality of Duffy’s work displayed in Treading Water leads me to believe these two plays must be highlights of this year' Oxfringe. So, take Duffy’s advice, Seize The Day and head down to the Simpkins Lee Theatre and enjoy an evening at the theatre for a low price not reflective of the high quality of theatre. In fact, you’ll struggle to find a better way to part with less than a tenner this weekend!