Skin Tight (A Very Overdue Review)

Photography credit: Tom Jewett

I've been meaning to write this review for a long time now.
In fact I already wrote it once but it just didn't seem to convey my feelings correctly. I hope this new one does.
Distance I find from a theatre show, a film, a piece of art or whatever it is that you're reviewing can be and often is a very good thing. It helps you get your thoughts in order. It also helps you sift out the 'very good' from the 'good at the time you saw it' shows. Which afterword, unfortunately, you don't remember. So without further ado here is the Skin Tight review

SKIN TIGHT
@PLEASANCE (Now transferred to Riverside, Hammersmith)
Written by Gary Henderson
Directed by Stella Duffy

Cast:-
Tom - Sam Webster
Elizabeth - Emma Deakin
Original music composed and performed by Katie Brayben

Lighting design - Scotty Stewart
Costume design - Kate Lane
Recorded music by Andrew Paine
Set design - Louie Whitemore

Skin Tight by Gary Henderson is a script that I'd read...I read it when it was submitted to the Theatre503 script vaults. I remember thinking when I read it; someone, somewhere must put this show on. Thankfully someone did; Shaky Isles Theatre. They obviously felt the same connection I did to Gary's words. Their production of Skin Tight truly encapsulates his haunting and tender love story. They carried it out better than I had hoped and for that I thank them.

I must, at this point, confess that the other reason I went along to see the show at the Pleasance in London was to see Stella Duffy direct.* I'd been carrying a book of hers around in my bag for ages which I hadn't at this point read; I have now. It's brilliant. Now there's always a slight pressure when you arrive at a theatre and the director is there (and you give them a box of chocolates at the start of the show) to think: 'crumbs, I better say something lovely even if it's not lovely'. The very good news is that these chocolates were deserved a thousand times over.

Hep Cat fans I am pleased to say that Stella's directing was stella. The design and the lighting were inspired. In fact the whole kitten-kabodoole was rather breath taking. The water in the bath that trickled even when untouched. The careful lit actors whose's shadows eerily extended up the wall all helped to create an atmosphere that was immensely intimate and intense. Not forgetting to mention the knife blade used by Sam. The apples playfully picked up by Emma. All was thought out and seamless.

This is ensemble theatre at it's best. The chemistry between Emma Deakin (founder of Shaky Isles) and Sam Webster is electrifying, sensual and harrowing. The love these two share is intense. With gorgeous original music played live by Katie Brayen this show will make the hairs on your arms stick up and your pulse tense. Their is also some very haunting pre-recorded music played at the beginning of the show which is written by Andrew Paine.

Skin Tight is about love. It's about two people who love and who at times are tried and tested but in the end they always hold on to one thing their love of each other.

There is a lot more I could write about this show. I could write the classic review which talks about the plot and the fact that it's incredible that three people on stage can captivate your attention for just over an hour (with no interval). These are things I could write. But I'm sure another reviewer somewhere else will write these things. So I have written the above instead.

The last thing to write Hep Cafe fans before I shorten this and it get butchered down for other online zines is:

Any show that means you have to take the lime out of your Corona (beer) and suck on it to prevent tears is a show worth seeing.

*So don't delay get your tickets for Sight Tight now. It's on until Sunday @ Hammersmith.

Call: 020 8237 1111 to secure your tickets.

Stay beautiful,

Melanie x