Trestle, Southwark Playhouse

[pledge]

This years winner of the Papatango writing competition. As seems almost obligatory now, it's 80 mins straight through. A two hander, with beautifully detailed and nuanced performances...and a fairly agreeable way to spend 80 mins...but the play itself is very very slight: really surprised there was nothing stronger or more gripping thrown up by the competition? Lots of very brief one or two minute scenes, although the writing does become a little deeper/more extended towards the end. To even begin to describe the plot - such as there is - would be to give away almost everything, so I'll content myself with saying that the audience laughed a lot and clearly enjoyed it, and repeat that the performances are excellent, but with the best will in the world there's very little here that hasn't been done before...Puzzling..

[Deleted]

Will there be a table in it?

[Deleted]

SPOILER: Click to show

Yes

[dani]

Ha ha, I was going to post the same thing. Today's reviews resolve the question. It sounds like a charming play.

[showgirl]

I was wondering about seeing this as I need something short for a Saturday evening slot because I've also got a late Sunday finish next day (I know, terrible reason to pick a particular play), but it sounded a little slight to me, too. As there were over 1,000 entries, maybe there are just too many new writing competitions now to attract enough good work?

[pledge]

Well, for something a bit more substantial (if downbeat?), you might want to consider "Poison" at the Orange Tree - see my review??

[paplazaroo]

I don’t think it’s a question of there not being enough strong plays that are submitted, I think it’s more that these competitions are judged by a group of people with certain tastes and chosen by committee so are unlikely to produce something very impactful or divisive. Matt Trueman wrote a good blog about the dangers of writing prizes recently www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/playwrights-playwriting-competitions-blog-matt-trueman_45012.html

[showgirl]

Nov 7, 2017 11:58:00 GMT pledge said:

Well, for something a bit more substantial (if downbeat?), you might want to consider "Poison" at the Orange Tree - see my review??

Thank you.  I saw it last week and found it a bit "meh" so hadn't the heart to be the first to post.