ordinary lives in an extraordinary production
Without Compromise’s “Wish You Were Here” returns to this year’s Fringe for a short but explosive run. An intimate house party is the catalyst for three young men to reunite for the first time in three years, opening wounds old and new.
Writer Michael Johnson, plays Reece, who’s wilder days are behind him, and he’s settled down of late, with Erin (played by Arlene McKay), looking forward to their lives together. Currently staying with them is Marcus (Robbie Hail) who’s firmly in his party days, having been adrift since his school days, with cracked family relationships. Back in town from uni, is Tommy (Kennedy Thomson), Marcus’ best friend growing up, but with a tattered relationship to mend, and the charmless replacement, Keegs (Lewis Robertson).
A couple of flashbacks notwithstanding, the play focuses on the night of the party and the aftermath, as secrets and resentments flash to the surface. The stage is simply set, with a few chairs and a small side table, and the cast circulate in and out of the room, so there are generally two on stage at one time, sometimes feeling a little tag-team, but does provide sharp focus to the conversations.
There’s a refreshing candour to the conversations, especially from Reece about his past, and the emotions of all are portrayed with openness and sensitivity, whilst retaining authenticity to life in working-class small town Scotland. Arlene McKay’s performance as Erin is particularly heartfelt, as a central touchstone between the three main friends – if there’s ever a chance for a longer version of this, I’d love to see more of her past too. There is one brilliantly awful exception to the heartfelt performances, with Lewis Robertson’s gloriously odious drug-dealer ‘Keegs’ – that absolute rocket, instantly familiar as the one causing hearts to sink when they walk in a room, complete with a sinister, chilling edge when tempers flare.
The seemingly fizzled friendship between Tommy and Marcus is the crux of the performance. Kennedy Thomson’s portrayal of the hurt and anguished Tommy is beautifully controlled, quivering with passionate intensity, complemented by the more volatile, emotionally shattered persona of Robbie Hail’s Marcus. The turmoil displayed by Robbie Hail will break your heart more than once.
The script is respectfully sincere without descending into twee stereotypes, whilst also retaining a very Scottish type of dark humour throughout. These characters and their situations are highly relatable and recognisable for some, but evident care has been taken so that they translate across audiences who are less familiar with the setting and scenarios. This is a jewel of a play, and deserves to be seen by many.
“Wish You Were Here” runs from 17th – 19th August, at 17:05 at The Space @ Niddry Street.. Tickets can be bought from: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/wish-you-were-here