CROUCH TOUCH PAUSE ENGAGE | STAGE REVIEW

Sherman Cymru, Cardiff, Thurs 5 Mar

Gareth ‘Alfie’ Thomas, one of Wales’ most capped rugby union players, is now well known for becoming the first professional player to tell the world that he is gay.

The extraordinary soap opera that is Alfie’s life – one that has been played out in the gold fish bowl of Welsh rugby for the past twenty years – is brought to the stage in co-production from National Theatre Wales, Out of Joint, Sherman Cymru and Arcola Theatre. All under the direction of Max Stafford Clark.

Set in a rugby changing room (which doubles up as a hospital, school and Alfie’s parents home) every member of the six-strong cast play the part of Alfie at some point during the production. To avoid any confusion they each don a shirt adorned with Thomas’ name – it sounds strange but in truth works very well.

Parallels with his hometown Bridgend are apparent. As Alfie was dealing with his own demons – being hounded by the press and attempting to kill himself – teenagers in the town were suffering with press intrusion following a spate of suicides in the area.

Katie Elin-Salt and Lauren Roberts deserve credit for their fresh and engaging performances as Meryl and Darcey: two teenagers dealing with the effects of suicide. Both characters describe how they overcame troubled times – Meryl who’s dad committed suicide and Darcey who herself attempted suicide.

Having interviewed Alfie’s family and friends, Robin Soan’s verbatim play is based on these dialogues and manages to convey the heavy reality of dealing with loss, sexuality and depression. Despite the sensitive subject, however, the writer injects plenty of Welsh humour throughout.

In this captivating production there is an overriding feeling of hope as Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage takes a refreshing approach to a story that created a media storm. There is just one important warning, however, the story is as close you’ll get to Alfie himself. Even though his image adorns the poster campaign he doesn’t make an appearance in the production, but the cast give a very good account and drew much appreciation from the audience.

words RHIANON HOLLEY

Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Tues 10-Sat 14 March; The Coliseum, Aberdare, Tues 24+ Wed 25 March; Bridgend College, Thurs 26+ Sat 28 March. Tickets: £12-£25 / £6-£18 conc. Info: 029 2035 3070 / www.nationaltheatrewales.org