Quays Theatre, The Lowry, Manchester – Thursday September 14th 2017. Reviewed by Julie Noller
4****
I arrived at The Lowry and indulged in a spot of people watching, I surveyed the audience gathered to enter and noted a very eclectic range of ages. Always a good indicator of just what would be expected. As was the stage set up – I forgive the delay in start, artists need their time to prepare. The stage was basic stripped back, just a simple chair wearing a jacket (I wondered if Charlie Fink would maybe get cold) a microphone and very dark hazy lighting with added smoke. It brought to mind roadhouse venus across America or pre smoking ban Britain, I felt transported into club culture.
Charlie didn’t only sing he acted. He used his guitar to interact on a very personal level with the audience, songs ranged from folky to upbeat especially when performing ‘the hit’ the song which his character Frank hates, Charlie isn’t the performer he’s Frank the troubled singing star who is seeking a way out of life. Talented as a songwriter he keeps a notebook for his scribbles. Our introduction to Frank is when the hugely talented Rona Morison arrives on stage I instantly warmed to her character with her scotish lilt, she was bright yet vulnerable looking for the fun in life and finding her soulmate in Frank. He was however at the time hanging on a window ledge having forgotten he’d order room service.
We are then taken on a rollercoaster journey are they discussing Franks wake? He’s dead? He’s not dead? He’s missing? Blink and you might just miss the clues.
Cover My Tracks was emotional, moving, clever and intelligent, I was genuinely moved by the raw stripped back emotion. There were moments when the air inside the auditorium was electric the pause was noticable to feel.
It was funny with witty one liners, it was prophetic and political bringing our senses to the fact that Frank/Charlie was a member of a band. I like theatre that makes me question things – was it semi autobiographical? Given that it was extremely well written by David Greig, I just don’t know but it’s an interesting thought. It made you think about life in the digital age, how easy is it to disappear? In an age where life is played out by the small devices pressed into hands. We’re given a visual shake up, Joni Mitchell would have been taking selfies, Neil Young would’ve posted about a protest petition. It’s a rather depressing and sobering thought. Which is rather the aim of the play.
As is life, it moves on, it continues quite often on a different path to the one we believed we were following, the search for Frank shows us that, oh and the god (dog for those not in the know) Dionysus who must be fed and looked after. The search takes us from Ireland to Scotland, thanks to a simple flyer found in Franks jacket pocket, to the goat farm. Finally to remote woodlands, retracing steps would she find her Frank and be able to regain her song? As much as we love to cheer on the underdog you feel every step taken, her depression deepens. Finally Frank appears but it’s not a happy ending reunion, she does however find his notebook and agree to finish his songs, Frank fades from stage leaving his guitar and is finally replaced. Its not the big lavish polished performance that you quite often see in theatres but Cover My Tracks, I loved with the same passion as the performers gave, shining out with life that is far from perfect but is genuine and heartfelt. At 70 minutes it’s not an epic show but my bum was firmly glued in my seat to see Rona Morison bring the curtain down.