Review: TIN CAN, Redbridge Drama Centre
Photo credit: Petros L. Ioannou
Once in a while a play comes along that reminds us all why the fringe is such an important part of British theatre. Tin Can is a perfect example with its originality and sparky humour providing a showcase for highly talented performers. Buckle Up Theatre have created a heady brew that is best described as Bonnie and Clyde meets the Wild West meets Sci-Fi with a helping of country music thrown in for good measure. Redbridge Drama Centre is a compact and well equipped venue but always a challenging space in which to deliver a show, particularly with an ambitious storyline.
Sometime in the future where interplanetary travel is the norm, two fugitives are on the run. Lazzy (Rebecca Levy) and Kane (Andrew Hollingworth) aren’t heavy duty gangsters, things just get a bit out of hand. They stick up a gas station, diner and bank, and soon realise it’s an easy way of making money. However, Kane’s penchant for gambling takes them to a casino, where he blows all their money. Kane is convinced he was scammed by the casino owner Marsha (Charlotte Bloomsbury). They stage another heist in revenge but are captured by Marsha who confronts them with a simple choice. Steal the mysterious orb or she hands them over to the brutal Galactic Police Federation. But what will Lazzy and Kane do in their quest for a better life?
A wonderfully inventive story is complemented by excellent visuals and set design. A central facade is a multi-purpose prop that quickly converts to accommodate each scene. It’s the control panel for the spacecraft, then a diner and fruit machine at the casino. A central screen indicates the passage of time and flashbacks in the narrative. A lively country music soundtrack keeps the plot fresh and bubbling away. An excellent cast have real fun with the characters as two hours pass in the blink of an eye. Writer Andrew Holingworth also takes on a starring role but manages the burden with consummate ease. Rebecca Levy is the perfect foil with a quirky and likeable performance, while Charlotte Bloomsbury takes on a variety of different characters with little more than a change of jacket.
Such high production values are a rarity in fringe theatre because of the limited resources available. So Tin Can is a refreshing change and proof that it can be done with real thought and imagination. The audience reaction is always a good indication of the show’s quality. The laughs are hearty and spontaneous but never polite which says everything. This is an entertaining show with real potential and well worth checking out.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Brian Penn