Danny, a British soldier, returns home after a tour and spirals psychotically downwards. James Dartford in the leading role is tense but not quite intense, terrible but not quite terrorising. The remainder of the cast form a tribunal of scowling sexy things, facing him throughout. A depraved ‘philosophical’ gunsmith offers Danny a sick ideology: second-hand solipsism. The play climaxes with Danny kidnapping, torturing and murdering a teenager. No logic for the act is in view: the play is muddled, hinting at the brutality of training and war – “I’ve seen men with their skin all melted” – but failing to cement it. Danny’s descent from aggression into outright ultra-violent bigotry is incomprehensible and doesn’t ring true. Sparse but worthy.
Zoo Roxy, 5 – 29 Aug (not 15, 22), 2.30pm (3.45pm), £6.50 – £7.50, fpp282.
tw rating 3/5
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Sections: by Gavin Leech - ED2011 Theatre Reviews - tw rating 3/5 | Tags: Exeter University Theatre Company, Zoo Venues
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