Review: Testing Times at Newcastle People’s Theatre

Testing Times

By Steve Burbridge

Newcastle People’s Theatre

Until Thursday 20^th November 2014

Local musician Sam Dickinson’s brilliant “Learn To Wait” is playing as the three actors come to the stage. They sit perched on high chairs and tell a story of the lives of three people who are linked by love and the need to cope.

Christopher Strain appears as Dominic, a young lad who has had to put up with homophobic bullying throughout most of his life. At school his teachers felt such behaviours were more acceptable than racism or sexism. His peers felt it was an opportunity to abuse him verbally, physically and sexually. Christopher portrays Dominic as an engaging individual who draws the audience into his world without preaching or demanding the sympathy vote.

Chris is Dominic’s partner and is made more believable by having some significant differences whilst still being in a loving relationship. Dominic’s Mum is Brenda and she has raised him the best way that a loving Mother could. Jamie Brown and Pauline Fleming interact subtly as the story develops and react facially as news is delivered.

Steve Burbridge has written a play based upon the experiences of real people and the descriptions of the behaviour of those not on the stage may seem shocking. Perhaps life in 2014 isn’t as enlightened as one would hope. As the play unfolds the nature of Dominic and Chris’ relationship is explored from the first date.  Not everyone comes out with the response that you’d hope you would come out when big news is broken. Nor do they, with hindsight, wish they say or do the things they do.

The end result is a credible and satisfying play about the human condition and the need for love and ultimately acceptance. This is a play which shows that the 1,385 people have been diagnosed HIV+ in the North East of England are not the only ones affected.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo.

On The Web:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/testingtimesplay

Tickets:

Adult £11.50 and £9.50 Concessions

Monday 17 – Thursday 20 November, 2014 at 7.30pm

The People’s Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF

Tickets are available from Steve Burbridge or the People's Theatre Box Office. http://ptag.org.uk/

Telephone:  0191 265 5020

Preview: Testing Times at Newcastle's People’s Theatre

Testing Times

People’s Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne

Monday 17 – Thursday 20 November, 2014

Written, directed and produced by Steve Burbridge

Back by public demand, Testing Times returns after a triumphant try-out run last year. Described as being “as witty and uplifting as Calendar Girls; as profound and engaging as The Vagina Monologues; and as moving and emotive as Blood Brothers”, the play received critical acclaim and inspired cathartic outpourings of emotion from audience members.

Based on playwright Steve Burbridge’s interviews conducted with HIV+ young men from around the region, this compelling new play explores the life-changing impact of being diagnosed HIV+ from the perspective of a young gay man, his partner and his mother.

·        Key Fact: 1,385 people have been diagnosed HIV+ in the North East of England (source: MESMAC North East, 2014)

Frank and funny, poignant and provocative, Testing Times chronicles the journey from anger, fear and despair to acceptance, strength and hope.

Testing Times visits The People’s Theatre for a strictly limited run of only four performances.

Christopher Strain as Dominic

Even today, in the 21^st century, those living with the chronic condition of HIV are all-too-often demonized in the popular imagination and Testing Times counters this very effectively without being preachy. Set in the context of a loving relationship and a family and showing the human cost of prejudice, discrimination and ignorance, the play resonates far beyond the LGBT community.

·        12,583 people have been diagnosed HIV+ in the North of England   (source: PHE – Public Health England, 2012)

Although the impact of a young man’s HIV+ diagnosis is at the heart of the piece, the play delves far deeper than that, exploring many of the issues associated with what it means to be gay in today’s society.

Being ‘different’ can be an isolating and, indeed, frightening experience. During the course of the play, we see the central character, Dominic, endure childhood ridicule from his father, unmerciful bullying from other boys at school, an apathetic reaction from teachers and even sexual assault.

·        Key Fact: 65% of gay, lesbian and bisexual pupils experience homophobic bullying at school – despite the fact that schools have a legal duty to prevent and challenge homophobic bullying and to ensure the wellbeing of all children and young people (source: The School Report, Stonewall, 2012)

In Testing Times we learn how he and his partner, Chris, met and of their happiness together, prior to Dominic’s first symptoms. When the diagnosis is given, we encounter the public and inner angst and fears of all three characters: Dominic, Chris and Brenda (Dominic’s Mum). Through rows and recriminations, arguments and accusations, we witness the tumultuous – but ultimately loving relationship – between all three. Your heart will reach out to Dominic, whose sexual transgressions are minor on a scale compared with some heterosexual men. He is not stereotypically promiscuous, he is unlucky.

·        Key Fact: There are approximately 1,000 young people under 18 accessing HIV care in the UK (source: NAT – National AIDS Trust, 2013)

Colette Kelly as Brenda

Nevertheless, he is forced to deal with the harsh reality of the situation he finds himself in; to confront his own mortality; to question the purpose and meaning of his very existence; to find a reason and a way to make life worth living.

Testing Times is not merely a ‘gay play’, nor is it just a piece of ‘issue-based theatre’. It is a moving and well-crafted piece that could pertain to any family with a loved one dealing with a life-threatening condition.

·        Key Fact: More than 20,000 people in the UK don’t know they are HIV+         (source: Terence Higgins Trust, 2014)

The play features the talents of Christopher Strain as Dominic whose professional theatre credits include Les in East (Customs House), Dr Spivey in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Customs House), tours of Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol and Lt. William Avery in We Got Mittens Too! (November Club; 2008 Newcastle Journal Culture Award for Performance of the Year). He has also appeared in various features and short films (including the BAFTA-nominated I am Nasrine), as well as writing, directing and performing in his own one-man play, Diary of a Madman.

Jamie Brown as Chris

With Christopher is Colette Kelly as Brenda who has appeared in the West End in the Wind in the Willows, followed by Salad Days both at the Duke of York’s Theatre. More recently, By the Bog of Cats at the Wyndhams Theatre, Siveat the Riverside Studios, and as the Duchess of Berwick in Lady Windermere’s Fan. Having performed the role of Pvt. Henry Stevens in critically acclaimed Death at Dawn (Cloud Nine Theatre) in September this year, Jamie Brown is delighted to be performing in his native North-East once again as Chris.

On The Web:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/testingtimesplay?fref=ts

Tickets:

Adult £11.50 and £9.50 Concessions

Monday 17 – Thursday 20 November, 2014 at 7.30pm

The People’s Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF

Tickets are available from Steve Burbridge or the People's Theatre Box Office. http://ptag.org.uk/

Telephone:  0191 265 5020

OPENING NIGHT OFFER - all tickets £9.50 for the first performance on Monday 17 November