REVIEW : Births, Deaths and Marriages

"Four young people, four big decisions...and one long night" is the tag line, certainly did not feel like a long night watching. This lovely nugget of mix media performance is presented by Young Theatre Makers, a collaboration between The New Wolsey Theatre, Birmingham Repertory and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse. Following the individual yet interlinking journeys of performers Tom Chamberlain, Jack Tricker, Gemma Raw, and Sam Rhodes who face some tough life decisions but heavy watching it maketh not, instead manages to balance the exploration of serious commitments and events with humour and sensitivity.  The use of a screen projecting bold  flashing writing against a backdrop of neon colours, would have I imagined, resonated with the watchers of youth television like Skins. It was a most effective aid to the narration along with the projection of images and video clips. The piece is performed, written and devised by young people for young people but one for all to watch, direction by Rob Salmon is tight. This is the second outing for the play at The New Wolsey with a third due at PULSE Festival so catch it while you can.

RATING

SUMMARY

Fine contemporary writing and performances. An honest and natural self exploration of life issues. 

Births, Deaths and Marriages

New Wolsey Theatre Studio

Date : Saturday 2nd May 2015

Authors : Tom Chamberlain, Gemma Raw, Sam Rhodes & Jack Tricker with Joseph Reed, Keisha Banya-Burrows & Matt Harrison.

Director : Rob Salmon

Performers : Tom Chamberlain, Gemma Raw, Sam Rhodes & Jack Tricker.