Show: Trapped: 12×8 And String
Event: Liverpool Theatre Festival Of New Works
Location: Bombed Out Church, Liverpool
Date: Wednesday July 14 2021
Time: 20.00
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Age Rating: 18+
Performers: Daniel Cassidy, Mary Savage, Liam Powell-Berry & Thomas Galashan
Production Companies: Naughty Corner Productions & Silent Gutter
Writer: Oliver Back
Directors: Emma Turner (12×8) & Mike Dickinson (String)
This is our theatre review for Trapped: 12×8 And String at Liverpool‘s Bombed Out Church. Now, this is the fourth show of Liverpool Theatre Festival Of New Works 2021. So, let’s take a look at Trapped: 12×8 And String!
Trapped: 12×8 And String
Synopsis
So, this doubleheader brings together the incredible writing of Oliver Back by linking Naughty Corner Productions with Silent Gutter. The first part, 12×8, focuses on a brother and sister both hiding in a one-room flat. Tom seems to be on permanent edge, reacting furiously to certain lines of questioning from his sister Sally. Now, Sally is able and willing to venture outside of the flat; Tom’s decision to stay indoors combines familiarity with necessity. But as we learn, there is a reason for what appears to be a highly tense and unhappy setting. And their deadly secret is one that keeps them within the 12×8 room, seemingly forever. But is the secret to protect Tom and Sally from what lies beyond their flat? Or does their arrangement exist to protect the outside world from what they’re capable of?
As for String, this sees a property tycoon on the verge of purchasing a seemingly abandoned building complex. But there, he meets a creepy caretaker, a man who scares the living daylights out of the tycoon. Nevertheless, the tycoon stands his ground and attempts to remain in control of the situation. But the caretaker refuses to listen, leading to the tycoon deciding that enough is enough as he heads out. However, the mention of the name George Nicholson stops the tycoon dead in his tracks. And from there, it’s a mental game of cat-and-mouse as we wonder who is really in control. Furthermore, despite the suit and wealth, is the tycoon able to overcome the haunting past of this derelict building? The caretaker will certainly put him to the test.
Analysis
Starting with 12×8, the performances of Daniel Cassidy and Mary Savage are utterly believable, almost frighteningly so. As the secret unravels, we learn about why Tom and Sally are in this almost-horrific position. And while both seem to appreciate the simple things in life, they act as a cover for their darker sides. I should note that the use of loud, intense noises mixing with flashing lights may not be for everyone. But from a production standpoint, one can imagine being in Tom’s head at his most perilous moments. And while it can be sometimes hard to watch, it’s also hard to take your eyes off this particular performance. The silences are eerie, with the occasional comedy offering a stark contrast as to what life could represent for brother and sister. Whether they’re able to achieve this or not is a question that you can only receive the answer to by watching this performance.
String, on the other hand, incorporates comedy to a stronger degree, at least in its first half. Liam Powell-Berry’s tycoon character is relatable within a city that has properties in construction on a permanent basis. And though he doesn’t necessarily appear as braggadocious, there’s definitely a sense that he has an ego. That makes it intriguing, and often humorous, to see him struggle to comprehend the behaviour of Thomas Galashan’s caretaker character. For this demonstrates how power, fortune and status mean everything on the outside, but little on the inside. And the caretaker pushes the tycoon to his very limits, all the while mixing tea and whiskey in an unorthodox fashion. This was the shorter of the two tales, coming in at around 20 minutes, but I feel this could sustain an hour. And if so, the background of the building block’s past could then receive an even greater exploration.
Summary
Though the two shows are very different, they both share the same theme of mental trapping. And both manage to captivate an audience sufficiently to deliver performances unlike anything else all week during this festival. I could imagine the two shows splitting into separate productions for future airings. But whether as a double bill or split into two halves, Trapped: 12×8 And String is worth checking out to experience both of these stories if this production comes to a venue near you.
Notes
Target Audience: 18+
Content: Frequent Strong Language, Occasionally Very Strong
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 8/10 – Very Good
Trapped: 12×8 And String Further Links
Liverpool Theatre Festival Of New Works 2021 continues at the Bombed Out Church until Sunday July 18 2021. So, to purchase tickets, please click here.
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