The Abrupt Son

Excellent piece of new theatre, very well performed by the young duo. The female lead is mesmerising and holds the audience throughout. The male lead does well to convey all the emotions needed for this complex part. Fully recommend this thought provoking piece.

Experience the real value of the Fringe by seeing two young actors in a small room before a small audience, display their emerging talent with this challenging material.

If the fringe is in any sense about talent spotting then I would urge any actor talent scouts to see Michael James in action. They did such a nuanced job of playing the son (and channeling father) in this complex structure of a play. I hope they get the breaks and sustain their self belief. A rare talent.

'That was intense!' said the young actor playing the title part, struggling to step out of character to thank the audience after yesterday's performance. Arguably, the mother is the pivotal role, but this play is even-handed and soon moves beyond the angry feminism of her opening monologue. However much she redirects justified rage against her deceased, abusive partner towards their offspring, however fierce her efforts to ensure the son doesn't turn out like his dad, from the moment he bursts through the curtains onto the scene the son has a life of his own, and sensitivity, allowing hope that both parties will finally be able to move on.

This is a thoughtful, sometimes funny and, yes, intense piece of drama, tackling a difficult subject head-on, showing the long-term impact of domestic abuse not only upon its direct victim but, through her, on someone who wasn't even born when the abuse happened. One or two time shifts between scenes are unclear but this could easily be sorted out.