PROUD

John Stanley’s ‘Proud’ makes a welcome return to the London stage after it’s 2009 debut. Its new updated version now finds a home at South West London’s hidden gem of a venue, The Lost Theatre. 

Proud’s 2012 resetting is aided not just by its Twitter and TOWIE references but also by now having it’s lead character, Pro-Boxer Lewis (played by Parry Glasspool) rewritten as an Olympic hopeful. Lewis is on the cusp of manhood and balancing his professional and personal life. Lewis is also gay and has yet to start his journey out of the closet as an ‘out sportsman’ as he is fearful of the reaction of his old skool and somewhat homophobic trainer.

The play is set on the evening of Lewis’ 18th Birthday when a dinner party is thrown by his mother to celebrate. Dealing with issues around being out in the sports world, Stanley’s writing neatly juxtaposes the freedom and openness Lewis has created in his own personal life; he is out to his mother, played the fantastic Virginia Byron and his boyfriend is happily invited to Lewis’ birthday dinner, with the pressures he feels constrained by in his professional life. Did I mention that the aforementioned trainer; Mac is also invited to said birthday dinner? Well he is and yes ‘it’s complicated’.

Stanley essentially subverts the classic farce genre playing with the scenario of ‘dinner party gone wild’. Stanley’s writing also keeps the action zipping along with some fantastic, snappy dialogue and some great comic one-liners. The play also covers themes wider than ‘just gay issues’ as we are party to scenes covering the themes of parenting, family conflict and the journey into adulthood, all presented to us in an entertaining, engaging and accessible style.

Oliver Jack’s direction is impressively spot on, there are some lovely touches and the pace doesn’t drop for a moment and all of the characterisations are strong. Patrick Wilde, writer of the groundbreaking play ‘What’s Wrong With Angry’ and its subsequent film version ‘Get Real’ acts as script consultant, complementing this strong team. Parry Glasspool is great in the leading role, demonstrating real sensitivity and likeability, showing himself to be capable of turning in a subtle and focused performance.

The previously mentioned Virginia Byron is excellent as the family matriarch switching from high drama comedy to high comedy in seconds. Charlie Carter is also great as Mac delivering a truthful and nuanced performance and avoiding portraying his unsympathetic character as a total monster. There are also strong performances from Claire Huskin, Matthew Heben and Ellen Sussams. Be sure to catch this play and get into the 2012 London spirit.

 

• Lost Theatre, 208 Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall, SW8 2JU to Sunday 12th August. Tickets £10. Booking: 0844 847 1680 or www.losttheatre.co.uk. 4/5

Advertisement

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here