Rupert Hill
HER Productions
Hope Mill Theatre
Sept 26-29, 2024
(also at The Dukes, Lancaster October 2-3)
At a time when the early release of prisoners and what then happens to them, Husk is a reminder that the
course of freedom may not run smoothly.
Can a play that has dementia, alcoholism, drug-selling, homelessness and rain-soaked tents as its main drivers be entertaining? The answer is a resounding yes, because the writing is sharp and lyrical; but mostly because the production has a stellar group of actors, without a single weak performance.
Writing and acting the main character, Ray, is Rupert Hill. A little enigmatic, he allows the other
actors to use him as their foil. Only when alone can he allow his real voice to be heard; especially his
love affair with Romeo and Juliet. Or when going, dressed in his dead mothers clothes, into a red
football pub on match night and cheering loudly and piercingly when the blue team scores.
He's a Byronic poet, both in character and as writer, and we all know what happens to them...
Beth, Danielle Henry is either a proper Manc or can do a superb imitation. With her down to earth
approach to every problem - from her father’s dementia to washing a drowned, mud-stained tent -
she brings a warmth and passion to every scene. Who else could sniff warm piss on another
characters clothes and say it smells fruity - and have us believe her?
Daniel Poyser (Clark), is the husband who finds Beth a little too powerful. And as her father, David
Crellin is able to move with total conviction from playing a wheeling-dealing builder with criminal
tendencies into a dementia-led pale imitation of his former self. Happy with fish and chips at home
rather than the boozy high life in the first act.
The standout performer is David Macready as Stan; Scottish name, Scottish attitude to authority ("they’re all shite"), Scottish humour (perhaps too hot for this family audience) but a rock of Scottish granite.
With his approach to rehabilitation - basically, it’s down to you - and his attitude to alcohol - you have to hate it - he symbolises the power of positive thinking. New prisons minister James Timpson should sign
him up immediately.
All the creative team, from director Joseph Houston down, deserve a mention too, as does the lighting, which uses old tech to show the passage of time quickly and effectively.
Best among them is set designer Sorcha Corcoran, who realises that you only need a chair or a mannequin to create an atmosphere. Other mainstream theatres can learn from this.
More info and tickets here
