• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides

Beginning at the National Theatre

October 13, 2017 by Adam McCormack Leave a Comment

Review of: Beginning
Price:
£15-£40.

Reviewed by: Adam McCormack
Rating:
4
On October 13, 2017
Last modified:October 13, 2017

Summary:

A touching and at times hilarious account of what it is to be single and looking for fulfilment, when all around you have already settled down. David Eldridge's new play is alternately uncomfortable and heart-warming, with perfectly observed performances from Justine Mitchell and Sam Troughton.

More Details

Every relationship has to start somewhere – the more important issue is: how long will it last? In Beginning, Crouch End (the heart of the “pesto triangle”), two people are alone at the end of a flat warming party in the early hours of the morning. One is the hostess, Laura (Justine Mitchell), a stylish, successful woman in her late thirties. The other, Danny (Sam Troughton), a man in his early forties, has just met Laura, coming as a guest of a man that she has little time for. The situation seems obvious; Danny is loitering because he feels he has a chance of spending the night with Laura, whose behaviour suggests that his hopes are well placed – even to Danny, who confesses that he has no “radar”. So far, so standard; a situation that could happen at the end of any party featuring single adults. However, there is a nagging discomfort, why would Laura, polished and sophisticated, with seemingly everything going for her, be taken with a somewhat disheveled “Essex-boy” who lives with his mother and “nan”?

As the dialogue develops we initially feel that the motivations are just animal lust – but we soon learn Laura and Danny are, in different ways, damaged. Danny is divorced with a young child that he never sees and has not slept with a woman for four years. It seems that while professing his keenness to sleep with Laura, he will do almost anything – drink more, tidy up, dance, make a meal – to avoid intimacy. This, we feel is going to be a tough seduction for Laura. However, she is not about to give up, for her motives go beyond just wanting sex and someone to spend a Sunday with. Laura wants a child.

What develops is a gently comedic, but at times heart wrenchingly touching portrayal of two people struggling to come to terms with being single and (effectively) childless, at a time when they yearn for companionship and fulfillment. David Eldridge’s wittily pithy dialogue succeeds to keeping us enthralled for almost two hours, helped by two perfectly observed performances that have us willing the couple into a situation that could make them both happy, against all probability. The staging in the Dorfman, together with Polly Findlay’s direction, works well for such an intimate play, helping us to empathise with Laura and Danny rather than feeling uncomfortable voyeurs. This is a play that will have great resonance for a wide audience.

Author: Adam McCormack
T: Twitter

Filed Under: Featured, Review

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Fraser Grace talks about Bliss at the Finborough Theatre

Written by Fraser Grace (Breakfast with Mugabe, RSC), Bliss is based on a short story by censored writer Andrey Platonov. It’s at Finborough [Read More]

NEWS / Japanese Romeo and Juliet to the songs of Queen announced

Coming to Sadler’s Wells in September as part of its world tour, A Night At The Kabuki is a retelling [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Paul O’Donnell talks about Shoot Festival

Shoot Festival returns this year with a mix of commissioned pieces and showcases of the best of Coventry’s arts scene. [Read More]

Review / The Man who Knew Too Much at Omnibus Theatre

A packed Omnibus Theatre lapped up the entertaining antics of The Man Who Knew Too Much. Co-Director and Co-writer Olivia [Read More]

Spotlight / Inua Ellams at 05Fest Lewisham

Inua Ellams, the Albany and WE ARE LEWISHAM  presents………. 05Fest, 10 – 19 March Poetry takes front and centre stage [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • Fraser Grace talks about Bliss at the Finborough Theatre
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • Going Dark: Will the Last Artist to Leave England Please Switch off the Light?
  • Does Small to Mid Scale Theatre Touring Actually Work?
  • After All This- Ovalhouse
  • Actor John Heffernan on Swings and Roundabouts
  • How to Applying for Arts Grants and Funding
  • Blasted- Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
  • Adam McCormack
    Contributor

  • October 13th, 2017
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook20TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!