The Parallel of Paul

By Gene - 28th Feb 2009

Dominic Mitchell's new play is one of those scripts that leaves everyone talking about what actually happened. Essentially a two handed single location family argument this play could be about a slightly demented mother's delusions, time travel or almost pure fantasy ... the final twist adding to the options rather than resolving them so that the foyer talk afterwards centres on what play each person saw. It is the delight of the script that all three interoretations are fully supported and equally valid.

Set in what must have been one of the dirtiest and smelliest kitchen sets ever put on stage (designed by Janie Ranger) Gene David Kirk's tight production leaves us in no doubt that Trudi, the mother, is a cruel, dominating and somewhat strange individual who makes her son Paul's life hell. The performances of Frances Iles as Trudi and Philip Goudal as Paul are utterly credible even in the intimacy of this small space where the kitchen set actually intrudes into the first row of seats. The power of their performaces carries the play through its all too short 45 minutes with real pace. Congratulations also to Amanda Cooper for providing "the twist" at the end.

In all a beautifully observed production of a great new play. Thank you.