Doing
my usual, ok where am I next, I frequently arrive at a venue knowing
only the name of the production I am about to see and in this case
that it is part of the Theatre Tours International
& Guy Masterson Productions, the show 'Weights'. Not much
of a clue in that, ok sit back and enjoy as you know you are about
to witness a superb performance.
On
stage we meet Lynn Manning a six-foot plus vision of a good-looking
man with a superb physique, this Afro Caribbean gentleman proceeds to tell
the story of his life but there is something about his face. At
first I can't put my finger on what it is but as the show progresses
I realise, through his performance it is true he is blind.
This
autobiographical play only reaches from childhood to his mid 20's
when he was shot in the face and slightly beyond to show his
determination to become a writer. The admiration I have developed
for this man is not through sympathy but my respect for what he has
been through, the goals he has achieved and this performance itself.
He concludes the show by reciting one of his own poems which is absolutely
beautiful.
This
cleverly written and excellently performed piece is an absolute must
for fans of the one person show, those of quality theatre and anyone
wanting to get excellent value for money. Lynn portrays the
characters in his life extremely well. Robert Egan's directorial job
would appear to have been a reasonably easy one.
My
only regret is that I did not see 'Weights' during its Fringe debut
in 2007!
*****
|