Third Play - 2000 Feet Away
First of have to say Bush Theatre is an interesting performance space. It's about the size of a large classroom and it only sits 80 people in bench style seating that frames the stage like a horseshoe and no seating is allocated you sit where there is space. I ended up in the front row of the left side so close to the actors that I ended up with the prop ash that was being thrown around at one stage on me.
The tight space made a tense and heavy show seem so much worse. I read one reviewer comment that it was ironic that a play about bad touching was being put on in such a small place that it is tempting to stay and touch the actors. And have to say there was many times when I could've (but I smothered the impulse).
The play was an interesting study of child sex offenders and how they affected the surrounding community (the 2000 Feet of the title refers to a law in Iowa stating that all sex offenders have to live at least 2000 feet away from schools, playgrounds and anywhere where children can gather). These sex offenders range from the teacher who apparently "grew feelings" for a student and the 18 year old who had sex with his 15 year old girlfriend whose father had him charged with statutory rape. It's mainly from the perspective of Joseph Fiennes' Deputy Sherrif who has to serve them with their papers and then get them out of town.
Joseph Fiennes was great as the quietly spoken Deputy who slowly unravels throughout the play. Ian Hart's piano teacher was a mix between his characters in Dirt and Harry Potter. He was bumbling and quiet but also had an strange side so that you didn't know if he had done anything with his student or if he was just a misfit until the end. One of the creepiest (and best) performances was from the 12 year old girl who was so obsessed with sex offenders she had their pictures on her wall so she knew who to look for (and who to throw rocks at).
Have to also mention the program. Because Bush Theatre is all about trying to find and help fund young writers rather than a standard program they actually sell the script book. Which has a few pages at the front with cast and production details but mainly it's just the script. The best part is it's a lot cheaper than a lot of the very glossy but content-free programs at other theatres.
It was an interesting play. I can't say that I loved it based on the content but it was staged brilliantly and the cast were fantastic. I'm glad I thought to book tickets ahead because the entire run is sold out and rightfully so. I really hope it gets a transfer to a larger theatre so that more people can see it because it is a really good piece.
The tight space made a tense and heavy show seem so much worse. I read one reviewer comment that it was ironic that a play about bad touching was being put on in such a small place that it is tempting to stay and touch the actors. And have to say there was many times when I could've (but I smothered the impulse).
The play was an interesting study of child sex offenders and how they affected the surrounding community (the 2000 Feet of the title refers to a law in Iowa stating that all sex offenders have to live at least 2000 feet away from schools, playgrounds and anywhere where children can gather). These sex offenders range from the teacher who apparently "grew feelings" for a student and the 18 year old who had sex with his 15 year old girlfriend whose father had him charged with statutory rape. It's mainly from the perspective of Joseph Fiennes' Deputy Sherrif who has to serve them with their papers and then get them out of town.
Joseph Fiennes was great as the quietly spoken Deputy who slowly unravels throughout the play. Ian Hart's piano teacher was a mix between his characters in Dirt and Harry Potter. He was bumbling and quiet but also had an strange side so that you didn't know if he had done anything with his student or if he was just a misfit until the end. One of the creepiest (and best) performances was from the 12 year old girl who was so obsessed with sex offenders she had their pictures on her wall so she knew who to look for (and who to throw rocks at).
Have to also mention the program. Because Bush Theatre is all about trying to find and help fund young writers rather than a standard program they actually sell the script book. Which has a few pages at the front with cast and production details but mainly it's just the script. The best part is it's a lot cheaper than a lot of the very glossy but content-free programs at other theatres.
It was an interesting play. I can't say that I loved it based on the content but it was staged brilliantly and the cast were fantastic. I'm glad I thought to book tickets ahead because the entire run is sold out and rightfully so. I really hope it gets a transfer to a larger theatre so that more people can see it because it is a really good piece.