BLUE/ORANGE | STAGE REVIEW
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, Wed 22 Jan
Staged in the intimate, in-a-round performance space of the Sherman Cymru’s Theatre 2, Canoe Theatre’s production of Joe Penhall’s award-winning Blue/Orange is an admirable effort, enlivened by the moral journeys of the three characters at its heart. Set across a 24-hour period in an unnamed London psychiatric hospital, a trainee psychiatrist and his mentor wage war over the fate of Chris, a young British African detained for 28 days under the Mental Health Act. Whilst broadly depicting a bureaucratic, unresponsive and failing health service, this play also offers wonderfully nuanced and incisive social commentary- it is surely no coincidence that Dr Robert Smith, the elder psychiatrist, is a namesake of The Cure’s front man.
Whilst Julia Thomas’ clear direction prevents the verbose dialogue from derailing the story, newcomer Simon Mokhele fizzes with honesty and energy as the trapped patient, who serves as an allegory for the divisiveness at the heart of society. As the intensity gradually ratchets up through the second act, Craig Pinder excels as the experienced and manipulative Department Head whose ulterior motives and desire for personal advancement conflict with the naivety and rashness of Matthew Bulgo’s overwrought Dr Flaherty. Each character comes to life in the claustrophobic confines of the hospital consulting room, its stark white walls and sparse attempts at homeliness eliciting the familiar unease of a doctor’s visit. At times the place becomes plodding, but this proves to be a well-executed and perceptive production that confronts societal issues with understated wit and subtlety.
words: JAMES AYLES
photo: NICK ALLSOP
Sherman Cymru, Cardiff, Tues 21-Thurs 23 Jan. Tickets: £12 Info: 029 2064 6900 / www.shermancymru.co.uk