I groaned when I realised, minutes before the start, that this was six monologues, one of my theatrical bête noir’s. To their great credit, they won me over with an original idea, good writing, clever structure and staging and fine performances!
Set one year in the future, each of the characters is affected in some way by a (very plausible) terrorist attack in London. The six are a combination of the injured, those that have lost a loved one and survivors who had a close call. Rather than taking their turns telling their story, the stories interweave throughout its 100 minute unbroken running time, with a therapy group linking them at some points. They are more about their true feelings, many normally unsaid, than they are about the facts of the incident.
In confronting the unpleasant consequences and ‘bi-products’, it risks accusations of tastelessness and some in the audience found parts difficult to stomach, but these are things that can and do happen – lying, exploitation and deceit amongst them. The six actors, all excellent, are sometimes present during others’ speeches, sometimes moving around the stage or reacting silently to what’s being said. One actor occasionally breaks the fourth wall, bravely but very effectively. At only one point is there any interaction between characters.
It’s a clever piece and despite my aversion to the form, I came away feeling rewarded by the quality of Stuart Slade’s play, six fine characterisations and Dan Pick’s staging for kuleshow. Another fine evening at Theatre503.
Gareth's Culture and Travel Blog 
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