All is not what it seems in The Country - Lauriston Studio review (From Messenger Newspapers)

All is not what it seems in The Country - Lauriston Studio review

10:17am Wednesday 27th January 2010

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THE Country isn’t the best plsy you’ll ever see, nor is it the worst.

It occupies that sort of middle ground so beloved of a certain political party and while the language is Pinteresque, it lacks that dark humour which makes the great man’s plays so unnervingly brilliant.

The intimate Lauriston Studio provides the ideal setting for this claustrophobic, tense affair. Mark Butt’s direction ensures that the sense of uncertainty and the tension that permeates this piece is overwhelming.

Corinne and Richard have moved to the country to escape from the rat race and their relationship is stretched to breaking point when Richard does his good Samaritan bit and brings home a stranger he finds by the side of the road. But is Rebecca really a stranger? And hands up who thought this lippy American was a potential bunny boiler? I know I did.

There are some outstanding performances from Ali Davenport and John McElhaton as Corinne and Richard and Sarah Roberts as Rebecca, and the trio cope well with the dialogue, dialogue that, on occasions, makes the play feel like some sort of verbal fencing match.

A few too many loose ends for me. That said, The Country is well worth a visit. Rick Bowen * Until Saturday. The box office is on 0161 928 1677. Star rating - ***

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