Over
the years Harland Hamstrings Alan Hunter has never been afraid to
tackle issues in his writing and directing as previous productions
such as Games People Play in 1998 and Strangers in 1999 will
testify.
This
years offering 'Home is where the Hurt is' also falls into this
category, and this caustically black comedy follows on from these
edgy performances.
Hunter
uses this play to make the point that assumptions are dangerous,
and it is easy to draw wrong conclusions, whether by friends,
family, schools or Social Services.
The
five young actresses, Cheryl Davison, Nicky Cochrane, Emily
Birkenshaw, Emma Waslin and Jess Allen each turn in performances
they belie their youth, playing roles as children, parents, school
teachers and 'establishment' with great aplomb.
The
ending, and I'll not give it away, caused some debate amongst the
audience at the show I saw, but what was not in doubt was the
feeling that all had just witnessed a splendid performance that
really asked the questions it was designed too.
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