Presented
by Ensemble Theatre
Reviewed by Catherine
Hollyman
Nathan (Jamie Oxenbould)
is part of the cast of Hamlet. They’ve been touring now for over 150
performances and Nathan, a mere support character relegated to the chorus, is
feeling the effects of repetition. He stands, bored, at
the back of the stage holding a spear whilst the handsome but wooden actor Jamie
destroys the title role, and Veronica – the love of Nathan’s life – doesn’t
even give him a second glance.
As he watches the play, quietly reciting the
words, Nathan lets his mind wander off. The result is The Spear Carrier.
A
play within a play always intrigues me – there’s something about the parallels
that draws me in. The character on stage is actually just ‘one of us’, making
his plight all the more believable. And Oxenbould doesn’t fail to draw the
audience in. He is entertainment personified, effortlessly holding our
attention in his grasp for a full 75 minutes.
Director Mark Kilmurry has established an entire new
world with just one actor, a set consisting of only a chair and door, and
clever use of sound and lighting. With no distractions, all eyes are focused on
Nathan and we travel
with him, the underdog, as he battles against unseen demons.Every single one of
us willing him to win.
Does he? That would be
telling!
