Review for Denim - May
2007
Review by Nigel Kerton (14.05.07)
Playwright Jay Saunders summed up on the second ever performance of
his comedy drama Denim at Pewsey in one word most members of the audience
would have agreed with: Stunning.
The title of Saunders' play Denim, a play on words, and is about genes and
not jeans. The central character Giles is a young man who was adopted, knows
nothing about his natural parents and fears that every girl he meets could
be a sister! Saunders, a Royal Navy officer, was adopted himself and said
some of his own thoughts as he grew up were incorporated into the play.
The story masterly lifted and then dropped the audience that was gripped
by the PVADS production, which ran between May 10-12.
It is a tragic-comedy where humour blurred with pathos as friends tried
to help Giles, superbly played by Darren Little, come to terms with his
phobia. Directors Nettie Powell and Martin Clifton were on edge on Saturday
night, the last of the three-night run at the Bouverie Hall, knowing that
Saunders was in the audience. But the cast was up to the challenge and kept
the audience in awe for just over two hours.
Saunders said afterwards that his play had been presented only once before
and he thought the PVADS production had been "absolutely stunning." He added:
"They certainly have a talented cast and the directors have done a wonderful
job."
Posters for the play had warned of "adult context and some nudity". There
were swear words and sexy banter and strip-o-gram Simon (Brad Harris) did
get down to a posing pouch. But it was all in context and thanks to clever
directing handled a sensitive subject , albeit littered with comedy, in
a faultless presentation.
Dave Owen was superb as the drunk Doug; PVADS old-timer John Lavis played
Giles father with just the right balance of concern and support. Alex Cuff
and Steve Clements put in memorable performances as Giles' friends who tried
to help him overcome his fears. Kate Powell was convincing in the strong
role of the girl who fell in love with Giles and thought she was his sister
but was wasn't! Newcomer to PVADS Emma Harris was fabulous as a drink-sodden
man-eater and her husband Brad was brave enough to strip down to a jock
strap. There were sterling performances, too, from Nick Mitchell-Briggs,
Jane Cuff, Annabel Edwards, Emma Preuss and Kay Davies.
The set, lighting and sound were up to the usual PVADS high standards. For
me the saddest part of this play was when it ended because I enjoyed every
second
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