The Flute, Versed Page Review
Written by Philip for Theatre and Tonic.
The Flute is a charming little play that fuses spoken verse with music in an utterly unconventional way. Presented in a workshop performance, The Flute tells the story of Mads, a wilful, cynical poet and her journey to finding love and what it means to be loved with the help of her best friend who just happens to be a flute. As Mads’ sister gets engaged, you begin to see her headstrong thoughts on marriage and finding love begin to change somewhat as she starts her own quest to find love.
The choice by Versed Page to use a musical instrument as a character is quite frankly genius. Although no other characters see, hear or interact with Flute - it behaves just like any other character. It is a brilliant way to intrigue an audience. The music by Jack Gionis works extremely well. Each note is intricately placed to give the audience an inkling of the way the conversations between Flute and Mads are going. You cannot help but smile and laugh as the characters agree and disagree, bicker and concur. Hannah Gillingham, who plays the role of Flute, is a very talented musician. Each note is placed with care and precision, from beautiful melodies to singular staccato beats.
The rest of the company are also a very talented bunch. Taking the lead from Flute. Each character has a distinct musicality as the play is done in verse. Catherine Davies leads the company as Mads. She is witty and defiant and quite frankly a delight. You cannot help but warm to her especially in her moments alone with Flute. She holds the show for long moments. Keeping the audience on her side. Waxing philosophically about life and love she weaves the tale brilliantly. A host of other performers amply supports her. Havilah Davis is Jude, a friend of Mads’ who lights up the stage with her presence. She is warm and funny, trying to help Mads find joy in her sister’s engagement. She often acts as a voice of reason. Eleanor Sturt and Adam Christian David play Marie, Mads’ sister and her betrothed Theo respectively. They are quite the double act. They fizz with bubbling enthusiasm for their upcoming nuptials. Sturt and David play the part of the excited couple well. The cast is rounded off with a hilarious performance from Szymon Bartoszek who plays Rigolo with such joyous energy.
Although this was only a workshop performance of the piece - I have high hopes that we will see it again in some form or another soon. I think it would be a brilliant piece to continue working and developing on the fringe circuits over the next few years. It is definitely one to watch.
★ ★ ★ ★
