Theatr Clwyd – Thursday 7 September 2023
Reviewed by Julie Noller
5*****
Learning to Fly not to be mistaken with the Tom Petty classic song; is actually a funny yet sad look into the lives of a lonely, sickly 11 year old boy and an older somewhat witchy equally lonely lady Anne. James Rowland is an expert storyteller, he reads his audience, watches them, understands them or should that be us. I could connect to his story on so many levels; I could see myself, my family an even my friends. I laughed; I really laughed, total gutteral laughs, the sort when you’re sat enjoying drinks with friends and you’re relaxed.
James is the sort of person who would sit opposite you on a train and leave, with you having shared silly stories with, he’s a listener, a built in recorder taking away the best of people.
What would a sickly 11 year old in 1990s suburban Manchester make of the spinster possibly sinister elderly lady Anne living alone in the overgrown neglected house; obviously in a Roald Dahl fed imagination she was a witch, looked and spoke just like one, hated boys, hoarder of Telgraph cryptic crosswords and records. Through words and music we witness this unlikely friendship come alive as young teenage James and more human less witchy Anne bond typically over strong milky tea, classical music, Beethoven’s Ninth choral symphony is a favourite (although James isn’t too keen) . She introduces him to documentaries, specifically the Madchester scene, a world he passed by without knowing.
He manages to block a toilet, which spectacularly overflows onto the carpeted bathroom like a horror movie. She tells him in a moment of quiet contemplation about her sadness, how does a teenager deal with this? Not by seeking advice but by going to the cock of the school and attempting to buy Ecstasy which doesn’t backfire but gives Anne possibly the best night of her sad, lonely life. There are so many little bits that have you thinking yes, I get it, I understand. James Rowland is not afraid, he stops, plays music, has a little dance. Silence is golden, silence can be huge but in this case it fills the gaps, leaves the air of expectation in the air. Laughter can be the very best medicine, James delivers that in a moving tribute to friendship. Life is all about learning,
James learned that listening is often key; What is said isn’t always what we hear. Watching James walk on stage before his show… bright crocs, tatty ripped joggers and white vest (stopping short of string) it’s about being unassuming, conflicting the minds of the audience.
He ends the story a million mind miles from the beginning with the sad news of Anne’s death he has changed so much from the teenager locked into a fantasy world into a drama student exploring life in London, how fitting that he pays tribute to her life by getting high on MDMA and sitting up close with the orchestra at a classical concert.
James is right you can connect with a stranger be they alive or long gone, you can find a better understanding simply because you take the time to listen rather than the person in the same room who has known you the longest.
For those who couldn’t get to take in the shows of Edinburgh Fringe then James’ tour is perfect for you, you won’t regret, you certainly won’t forget.