ChainWorks Productions and RCT Theatres have teamed up to produce a heart warming story of ‘pride and dignity’ with a particular Valley’s accent.
This play tells the story of Jimmy Evans (Jack Quick), an eighteen year-old man struggling to find his identity and in search of a dream, within the confines of his own bedroom; a room he has barely left in two years. This is until he stumbles across the Gladiator, a hundred and twenty year old bike that has been handed down through the generations of his family.
But along with the Gladiator comes an undiscovered world and a man in a top hat – Choppy Warburton (Huw Novelli) one time trainer of world champion cyclist Arthur Linton of Aberdare.
When the audience walks in they are greeted by a large scaffold structure cleverly designed (Anna-Marie Hainsworth) into a domestic Valley’s terrace house. Sitting on top of this is a large brightly lit poster of the film Gladiator. This tortured image of determination sets the tone for the rest of the play.
All the performances here are at times excellent situating the audience very firmly in the typical Valley’s sitting room. This ‘everyday life’-ness is particularly strongly played by fictional ex-husband and wife duo Llinos Daniel and Nathan Sussex in the opening scenes. Other supporting roles of Jimmy’s twin Jenny (Tori Lyons) and the Goth chick next door Alex (Francesca Goodridge) provide for wonderful moments of humour throughout. Huw Novelli, is very strong as Choppy Warburton and negotiates the subtle transition between his two characters with great skill; he also plays Art, a womaniser and “model agent.”
It is Jack Quick (Jimmy), however, that steals the show for me. He anchors this production with his high-energy performance and his suitably teenage demeanor throughout.
This play has been well crafted by Laurence Allan, not trying to be too clever or something its not, while still being able to profess a universal message. This message, the front of the programme states, is ‘not about the bike, it’s about the dream’. I also think it is about the power of imagination.
This production is like a hot cup of tea on a cold winter’s night. It doesn’t ask you to work hard but you’ll be happy you came along.
Gladiator – Chapter Arts Centre
Written and Directed by Laurence Allan