Thank you to Suzanne Hawkes for this guest review of TPTC – Turning Point Theatre Company
Powerful, well written piece that explores issues around the rights women have over their own bodies – and how far you would go for your friends?
Turning Point Theatre Company is a female led collective that aims to present challenging drama, and this play is their second heading to Edinburgh.
Set in the near future in a dystopian state where abortion is illegal, three friends, after what seems to be just a drunken night out, try and come to terms with their actions and the consequences.
Bonny can’t remember anything, Rachel is cagy and Gen – well Gen feels guilty as hell about something – but will she fess up or will their relationships implode before that happens.
On a stage full of plastic bags that gradually reveal props as the plot unfolds, all three performers remain on stage at all times, sitting on stools and turning their backs to denote absence. Clever use of sound effects and music denote the scenes and actions off stage as the play goes back to the night before and tries to unravel what happened.
The acting is slick and believable. All three girls are dressed the same yet the characters are clearly drawn. Bonny is the good time girl just up for a laugh, Rachel the sensible ‘mother’ figure and Gen the junior doctor is the tentative and more sensitive of the friends. But as the plot revolves all three are discovered to have secrets they can’t handle.
The dialogue is sharp and pacily delivered. Tension is nicely handled and builds well to the final climax.
Isabelle, Laura & Alex have produced a hard hitting, contemporary piece that explores some very relevant material in the light of the gradual subtle erosion of women’s rights in this country and where places like America may be heading if a certain person gets elected in November.
There are plenty of ‘content warnings’ at the beginning of the piece including strong language which peppers throughout, strobe lighting and discussions of an intimate nature so an age limit of 16+ is probably wise. But this is a good piece for the Edinburgh Fringe and should do well. A company to look out for.
Covenant by TPTC will be at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from 12th – 24th August ( not 18th August) at Greenside George Studio – Fern Studio.
Tickets are available Here
SUFFOLK THEATRE 