Shoot

1. Message

I think the piece explored the effects of war on non-combatants, in this case the war photographer and his immediate family. It looked at the personal cost to the photographer and those closest to him in terms of what had happened to his mental health and how that impacted on his wife and, to a lesser extent, his child. It was made clear that neither the Photographer nor his Wife had any real support and that the help they did receive was insufficient to help prevent his increasing mental health problems. His nightmares meant neither he nor his wife got restful night’s sleep and his episodes were impacting severely on his life back at home. He seemed to be becoming increasingly obsessed, to the detriment of his relationship with his wife, who felt that she played second-fiddle to his job.

His editor showed little sympathy or understanding of his plight – he felt compelled to continue his work on the frontline but her ‘You crossed the line’ comments demonstrated how actually the media need pictures to sell their papers but that pictures mustn’t be too graphic or shocking. Hence the Photographer’s increasing frustration at his foiled attempts to show what was really happening.

2. How effectively was message conveyed

Very. We clearly saw the fracturing of the relationship between the Photographer and his Wife and her increasingly desperate pleas to both him – to try to reach him and resolve the problems they had – and their sides of their conversations with the psychiatrist/therapist. We saw the Photographer obsessing and justifying that obsession. We were made very aware of his PTSD. His game-show nightmare took us through a dream turning nasty sequence where only he knew the cost of war (both literal and metaphorical) and where he was violently attacked at the end. His son’s alienation from him was made apparent, and his wife’s sadness at his illness and at the cost to their marriage came through very clearly.

3. Most memorable Moment

The pace was so relentless and there were so many terrific set-pieces, dialogues and monologues it’s really hard to choose one moment. So, … the’ barricade’, the game-show, the small child crying, 5 actors acting/mime-dancing picture development…

4. How effective – characterisation and multi-roleing This worked very well and did not seem at all contrived. The carefully choreographed sections (including the very beginning) established that there were 3 actors playing each main role. The clever condensing of their meeting/courting/dancing/engagement/marriage in such a short space of time with all three couples acting simultaneously was very effective (as was the relationship ending sequence later on). It also established how ‘normal’ their relationship was, and how happy they were initially. We saw the wife’s increasing disillusionment with the marriage, her bitterness at having thrown away her career and her growing desperation at the worsening state of their relationship.

5. FlowingMovement from one scene to another was seamless. The pace was relentless. So many elements were included that it was amazing the narrative flow was maintained (especially given that there were flashbacks incorporated as well.)

6. PropsThe big camera case sported by each actor playing the Photographer defined the character instantly. The games remote identified the son.The prompt boards both identified the dream/nightmare Mr Sparkles game-show sequence and provided instant, real audience participation. Break down that 4th wall anyone?The guns were a visual reminder of war.

7. Costume With all cast members in basic black they were blank canvasses on which to paint their characters, with props or (in the case of the Wives) the identical scarves for immediate recognition, and with Mr Sparkles the spangly gold sequinned top hat.this allowed the audience to focus more on character and story without the distraction of more varied costume.

8. Setthe Spartan simplicity of the set, echoing the plain black costumes, again allowed the characters and story to speak clearly. The three different heights were both ‘split screen’ and space maximisers and the small space was used to maximum effect. the projections were well-integrated with the piece. they both supported and enhanced the action on stage.

9. Story The story was clear and easy to follow. It was broadly linear (with some flash-backs and dream/night mare sequences). Even though the roles were shared there was a continuity and consistency in the monologues and conversations that made it feel as though one was watching different aspects of each character when different actors were on stage.

10. CommentsI thought this was a very powerful piece. The scenes where the actors duplicated actions (individually, in pairs or as an ensemble) were implemented with impressive synchronicity. A tremendous amount was packed into a short space of time. It never flagged. Music was skilfully interwoven into the play.