Soho Theatre – until Sat 4 August
Reviewed by Elizabeth J Smith
4****
Ardent8’s new production of Sacrifice, ask the question ‘Is it worth it?’ and follows a group of young outsiders trying to adjust to city life that only seems to accommodate the privileged and the sacrifices they make to survive. The aim of the company is to make the theatre industry more accessible and has provided 8 recent graduates from outside London artistic support to progress in their careers within a professional environment.
The reality of finishing your dramatic studies, leaving the comfort of college or university and launching yourself and your talents on the world. Where do you go , what do you do? Sacrifice is a stark reality piece on how difficult it is to make your way in the performing arts if your not living in London, the capital of the Arts. Where you not only have to compete with all the other hopefuls but contend with trying to find a place to live, find a job that allows you to live and still pursue your chosen career. Sacrifice looks at 7 characters that were at university together, all moving to London and living together in a dark, dank, basement that doesn’t even have the basic amenities and costing the earth. Which only one of them can afford and the rest are in arrears. The only thing they find the money for is a landline that could, potentially, ring and change their prospects with a chance of an audition or casting. One evening after a night at the local pub they all awake to find a stranger in their midst, who challenges each one to re evaluate what they are doing and where they are going.
Sam Weston plays Sam the stranger. A local boy who has inherited an ex council house that his parents bought during the right to buy offer and he is annoyed that all these outsiders come into his town and change the dynamics. He challenges each of them to re evaluate they decision to pursue their chosen career. Sam plays the part well being angry, defensive, charming and
aggressive.
Nathan Linsdell plays Nathan the posh lad who’s family’s money make him able to stay but he is in conflict with himself and his dead Father who drummed into him what a waste of time studying the performing arts would be. Unsure of his sexuality and offended by the racist remark the other occupants make regarding him being Jewish. Nathan portrays this confused young man with great feeling. Showing his venerability but trying to hide it with aggression that he can’t quite carry through with.
Jamie Parker plays Jamie who is working as a tour bus guide while waiting for the call. She never has any money and continually borrows from her boyfriend Nathan. Jamie’s part wasn’t there to set the world alight but portrait how racism can creep in without the racist realising they are saying such shocking things. Jamie played her role with an innocence that an ‘out of towner’ may have. However, on occasion she did react to the laughter from the audience, dropping character briefly.
Garry Skimins plays Garry the yoga loving hippy type, who has slept with everyone. Garry is laid back but wants to spice his life up by experiencing new things like becoming a vegan. But a trip to the local shop leaves him traumatised while watching a ‘Yuppy Couple’ who ooze confidence while picking up a bottle top. Garry portrays this laid back character with understated passion, so you can believe all the girls would fall for his charms.
Angela Crispin plays Angela, Garry’s hippy dippy girlfriend. She is also affected by racist, throw away comments, being half Portuguese, that leave her wondering how the rest of the world perceive her. Angela plays this role with emotion and you can appreciate how a person may feel when subjected to racist remarks.
Clare Hawkins plays Clare who’s daily run through the local up and coming area with its coffee shops and yummy Mummy’s leave her feeling that she will never be part of that world. Clare portrayed her character with disappointment and a sense of hopelessness.
Henry Holmes plays Jordan, who works in education and doesn’t hold back the punches with the children in his care, as they need to know what a horrible world is out there, which obviously doesn’t go down to well with his employers. Henry delivers a believable character portraying the character’s slightly sleazy side with the girls.
Sophie Coulter plays Sophie. The girl with no money and lacking ambition to change things, retreating into herself by drawing pictures that, according to her flatmates, are abstract or just not very good. Sophie makes you believe her character is slightly detached from the real world and chooses to hide away.
The audience found the dialogue funny and the set was so simple it did give the impression of a dark, dank, basement. The play is short but deliver’s a powerful message about the disappointment most performing arts hopeful’s will experience in the real world. All the characters left you feeling the hopelessness in their lives until the phone rings and hope reappears.