Teapots and Superglue, Sutton Arts Theatre Review
Written by Charis for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.
Teapots and Superglue is a piece that focuses on the perceptions of individuals and first-time impressions. I went into the performance knowing very little about the piece as it a relatively unknown piece created in 2003 by a Birmingham author Jonathan Owen. There are positives to showcasing an unknown piece as the audience will not have expectations or prior experience with the piece. I often enjoy underrated pieces for that exact reason. I thoroughly enjoyed the piece and felt strong emotions towards the plight of most of the characters.
Within the piece psychologist Roy brings together an incredibly unlikely group of 7 individuals at a local run-down community centre for a university study. At first, it seems unlikely the characters will get on, and truthfully, they do not. However, as the piece progresses, they begin to let down their guard and develop and grow as a group and as individuals. First, we have Judith, played by Michelle Dawes, a quiet withdrawn individual, enjoys her own company and raised within a strongly religious household. Then there’s Pat, played by Sarah Stanley, 45 years old, on benefits, 6 children, loud and utilises adult and colourful language. Next, we have Dawn, played by Ella Clarke, 17 years old raising a son called Danny alone and lives in a council flat. Next there’s Frank, played by Jonathan Owen, an elderly man who lives alone as his wife has passed away. After that we have Greg, played by Stuart Goodwin, who is middle aged, teaches French and History at a local secondary school and lives alone. Subsequently, we have Mo, played by Leighton Coulson, a young college student stuck between being born in England with western culture and his dedication to his family and Islam. Lastly, there is Doreen, played by Joanne James, who is upper class, married with a son and shops at M&S.
Even as spectators to the piece the audience will be guilty of forming false perceptions and understandings of each of the characters. Everyone is varied from another, but all are believable as real people as they match the type of people, we will all have come across in life. The characters are far from two dimensional and we experience several shocking revelations from Frank, Judith, and Dawn. All the characters, except Doreen embark on a journey of self-discovery with the assistance of each other. Self-discovery is often showcased as soliloquies, both Ella Clarke and Leighton Coulson provide a powerful and emotional performance within theirs despite their young age.
The piece is set in 2005 within a run-down community centre. The ability to relate helps this piece massively as this is a setting most people will have experience with and provides the piece a sense of age but not too much. Every actor within the piece superbly handled the characteristics of their parts. Every character is somebody who everyone will have met within life. Underestimating characters such as Dawn, Judith, Pat, and Mo occur within the piece, and it is quickly demonstrated why it is important not to do so. Frank gains a lot of sympathy for the fact that his wife has died, but he quickly points out that we should not fee sorry for someone before we even know them.
The only character who does not grow and change due to the friendships with others within their group is Doreen. The truth however does have a way of coming out no matter how much someone tries to burry it or reinvent themselves. We learn the truth about Doreen, her son and her past in the last 10 minutes of the piece but her revelations did not come from the group but rather from a personal confrontation with Pat. It is truly sad when someone closes themselves off to growth due to building a web of lies.
As the piece says everyone has trauma in one way or another. It is important to not judge a person by perceptions. Additionally, it is hard to begin on the road to self-improvement if someone has had a traumatic past. As Roy says ‘it is like waiting for superglue to dry your never quite sure if it has worked until you take your hands away.’
At Sutton Arts Theatre until 23 March.
★ ★ ★ ★
