In Basildon

I went to see 'In Basildon' on Saturday at the Royal Court. Very good, here is the Guardian Review. http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/feb/23/in-basildon-review?newsfeed=true

We were seated in the second row of the stall so were aligned with the actors as 'Len' was slowing fading as the family gathered. Regardless of this being the death scene, the first half, perhaps more than the second, was one where the lines were very funny and got a lot of the audience laughing. Very different approach to a Leigh play, which does not focus on such a single point of origin for the dialogue. This was very much a realisation of the written projection of the author's insights, as added interest the script was in the programme.  However, the actors also brought this written experience to life. The characters went to Basildon to escape London and find a better life, but often lost something in the process. The scenes resonated beyond the Essex setting and I could recognise some of the traits from my own life - what a good play can do for an audience. We also had fun afterwards discussing some of the 'Essex' characters and props (jellied eels) with Wendy whose character sets , always a treat for an audience member who is very interested in the theatre.

It has even gotten written up in academic journals articles discussing the Essex phenomenon http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=419137&c=2  (added 27/2/12).