This review is a bit late because I went to see this show just before I became ill for a week. However, I still think it is worth reviewing so that tells you something. Party Piece is the first away-from-Ipswich outing for the New Wolsey Young Associates and their show. The Young Associates are a bit older and a step up from the Youth Theatre, young men and women who are serious about a career in theatre.
Party Piece was developed as a play for young people that don't think theatre-going is for them. It's a story about 4 young friends, having a party, determined to get off their heads, get laid, and declare their love and loyalty to each other, causing mayhem in the way.
The play is very physical, sometimes narrative, sometimes performance poetry, sometimes dance. Graphic in its delivery, it sets out to shock, to be daring and to impress the young audience at which is is aimed with its outrageous language and actions. I wasn't the target audience and I wasn't shocked of outraged but I could see how some people would be and why young people would like it for that reason.
I admired and enjoyed the execution. Several scenes required extremely well-timed physical sequences in a version of physical theatre which seems to be popular these days. It was great, almost Heath Robinson in structure, and impressive in such young performers.
Each player in turn revealed their inner fears about growing up, or not, finding innovative ways to share their deepest feelings.
Afterwards, the cast and director were happy to talk to the full house of audience. Which was great for people who wanted to know how to get involved - and in a full-house of young people, there were many who asked questions - although I did think that the director could have shut up a bit and let the cast answer for themselves!
All in all, another exciting piece for the Curtain UP festival at The Garage - watch out for more coming up, and think about doing what I did and ask for a Tweet Seat - a ticket in exchange for your Tweet thumbs !
Party Piece was developed as a play for young people that don't think theatre-going is for them. It's a story about 4 young friends, having a party, determined to get off their heads, get laid, and declare their love and loyalty to each other, causing mayhem in the way.
The play is very physical, sometimes narrative, sometimes performance poetry, sometimes dance. Graphic in its delivery, it sets out to shock, to be daring and to impress the young audience at which is is aimed with its outrageous language and actions. I wasn't the target audience and I wasn't shocked of outraged but I could see how some people would be and why young people would like it for that reason.
I admired and enjoyed the execution. Several scenes required extremely well-timed physical sequences in a version of physical theatre which seems to be popular these days. It was great, almost Heath Robinson in structure, and impressive in such young performers.
Each player in turn revealed their inner fears about growing up, or not, finding innovative ways to share their deepest feelings.
Afterwards, the cast and director were happy to talk to the full house of audience. Which was great for people who wanted to know how to get involved - and in a full-house of young people, there were many who asked questions - although I did think that the director could have shut up a bit and let the cast answer for themselves!
All in all, another exciting piece for the Curtain UP festival at The Garage - watch out for more coming up, and think about doing what I did and ask for a Tweet Seat - a ticket in exchange for your Tweet thumbs !
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