Oct 10 2008 Chester Chronicle
A SONG FOR THE LOVERS/The Lowry, Salford Quays, until October 18
REVIEW/by Peggy Woodcck
A SONG for the Lovers at The Lowry, Salford Quays, on Thursday was short - and sharp.
A Monkeywood Theatre Company production, it drew two sisters into a late night bar and added a spanner in the works in the form of Davy, not very bright but well meaning.
It was written by Sarah McDonald Hughes, a young playwright currently working with Chester Performs on a project to be staged in Chester later this year, and she also took the role of Catie, young, naïve, who has left her abusive boyfriend. Or has she?
Francesca Waite’s Jenna would have it so. She was a contrasting zany, yet strong character, yet even she struggled to cope when Davy kicked off. On the run from abusive neighbours, he took a shine to young Catie as a fellow victim. But it went too far…
In the intimacy of the Lowry Studion, A Song for the Lovers brought out social issues in the unexpected surroundings of a Conservative Club bar. With the occasional dart thrown at Maggie’s portrait for light relief, it was a simple scenario with thought provoking debate.