Mind play

'4:48 PSYCHOSIS', performed by Shining Lights, at New Greenham Arts, on Monday, September 2

New Greenham Arts has had a delightful new face lift and also a new resident youth theatre company Shining Lights. Under the direction of Pete Watt they provide training specifically for young people to audition for drama schools and have had success with four of the present cast successfully gaining places. No mean achievement.

Sarah Kane's challenging play '4:48 Psychosis' offered an ideal opportunity for each actor to showcase their talents and they did this with panache!

This was the playwright's last work before she committed suicide, at the age of 28, in February 1999. It is difficult to separate her life from the play since it is a dark journey through the life and experience of a mentally ill young woman as she is subjected to endless medication to control her clinical depression. It is a turbulent roller-coaster ride of emotions, anger and frustration. The 4:48 psychosis is "the dawn moment when you're at your sanest and therefore most prone to suicide". It was also the time for exactly one hour and 12 minutes when she could write before being subjected to the torment of her inner mind.

The play is uncompromising, there are no character names, it weaves through both internal and external monologues and the audience experience the pain, loneliness and sadness of the characters trapped in this mental black hole.

Quite a challenge for this company but they handled it with sensitivity and understanding. The ensemble work was powerfully presented, changing shapes and moods with the cast working together as a harmonious team as we were invited to share and participate in their torturous mind games as they drew us into their special world.

James Elliot gave a splendidly controlled performance as the sympathetic convincing doctor. Should we trust him or not? Beccy Chaplin chillingly expounded the 4:48 theorem with total conviction and Lucy Butler's outrage at the medical profession and society was hauntingly vicious!

I came away from this play deeply moved by the issues raised. It certainly made me pause and think about society's attitude to mental health. Powerful stuff!

ROBIN STRAPP Newbury Weekly News

Alcestis

Alcestis, 19th March 2002 at New Greenham Arts

Coming Soon.

Powerful theatre

'WOYZECK', performed by Slot Machine, at Kennet School, on Thursday, June 14, 2001

If you ever thought young people shouldn't be asked to tackle 'difficult' drama, you should see Slot Machine, part of the Shining Lights Theatre Company.

They proved yet again with their performance of 'Woyzeck' that if a director expects and inspires them to brilliance, they will deliver. Pete Watt's adaptation of Buchner's play was an hour and 20 minutes or so of totally gripping drama, and a most impressive piece of ensemble work. The entire cast were on stage throughout, and the peripheral characters were just as focused and involved as those centre stage, with some beautifully devised tableaux. No-one detracted from the central action, rather they complemented it

Paul Kerry was superb as Woyzeck, rushing "through the world like an open razor", wounded and destructive, unable to deal with his lot except by lashing out, especially at the lovely Marie, played by Francesca Tambini. She too was an unhappy soul, seeking her raison d'etre in the arms of soldiers, and occasionally showing sweet maternal warmth towards her son.

The child was portrayed through excellent puppetry by Amy Phillips and Sophie Hicklin, totally captivating and believable.

James Elliott, Stuart Hunter and Carl Stallwood all gave clear, strong performances as the Captain, the Doctor and the Sergeant respectively, and Joe Thorpe, and Daniel Sherratt were remarkable Shadows of Woyzeck,

The fight scenes and Marie's death were quite simply superb, combining a high degree of controlled physicality with perfect timing to produce extremely powerful theatre. I think it's the first tune I've ever been in an audience where everyone was so totally engrossed in what was going on on stage. No-one moved, or coughed, and there was a tangible feeling of tension as Woyzeck was stained by Marie's blood.

No surprise, then, that the company has been invited to perform at the New York International Fringe Festival this summer. And no surprise that the degree of commitment and support they enjoy meant that over £2,000 was raised that evening, largely through an auction of celebrity memorabilia. Get ready, New York. The great Brits are coming!

LESLEY MCEWEN Newbury Weekly News