THEATRE REVIEW: Angry Young Man [Theatre Buff]

Theatre Buff

Behind the scenes after the final curtain call...

THEATRE REVIEW: Angry Young Man

Posted on January 22, 2008 11:33 AM
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Angry Young Man, By Ben Woolf
Mahwaff Theatre Company
Monday 21st Jan, Trafalgar Studios

Review By Zarina Raja

There is nothing better than going to see a play in a theatre where even the back row can feel the enthusiastic spit spewing out of an actor’s mouth.

The intimacy of Trafalgar Studios was well suited for Angry Young Man. The play dragged up the dark – and very prominent - truths that lurk beneath the surface of Britain. When your feet are touching the stage space, there is no where to look other than into the sad eyes of the Eastern European immigrant.

The story centres on Euri, an Eastern European surgeon, who comes to London in search of work. What he previously thought England to be fast becomes an illusion; he is shunned, mocked and taken advantage of by us lovely English folk.

Euri is forced into a position at the end, deep in the rolling British countryside, that will either jeopardise his principles or his new life in London.

Thankfully, he chooses to secure his beliefs and strike back against the fascists.

Angry Young Man cuts straight to the chase. It draws open the crack of ignorance that lies at the heart of Britain. ‘You come over here, taking our women and jobs.’ Do people still even say that? Apparently they do and they believe it too; whether they are covering it up, ‘I’m not racist but…’ or if they are being blatant about it.

Four actors brilliantly take on the role as Euri, Patrick and various other men, women, dogs and antlers. They slip in and out of the characters with admirably ease, chopping and changing scenarios with only three chairs and a small table as props.

Angry Young Man is one the most well written and wonderfully directed plays I have seen for a while. It was fast paced and hilarious; it was crammed full of witty one liners, perfectly timed looks and comical actions.

Running for only sixty minutes, Ben Woolf has successfully squeezed in – and thoroughly reinforced – the nature of a fearful and nauseating England.

It doesn’t matter how pretty the countryside is, that which loiters beneath it is ugly.

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