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Champion of Cottage charms
US
Hampstead Theatre
THE phrase “community play” alerts a certain trepidation. What, after all, does “community” really mean?
A sinister, state-sponsored celebration of multiculturalism or panto in the village hall seem the most likely outcomes.
Jane Champion’s Us describes itself as a community play, for want of a better tag, but in this case the phrase is inaccurate, even unfair. This is a play about the area, Swiss Cottage, and the disparate lives of its inhabitants.
It just so happens that half of the 20-strong cast are members of the “community” – spritely grandmothers and local youths – though the final product is neither bland nor amateur.
Audiences sit in a replica of the Swiss Cottage library square, recreated a few yards away in the Hampstead Theatre basement, while the action weaves amongst them.
Champion, who conducted extensive interviews with people from the area prior to the play, has a good ear for natural, unaffected dialogue; so much so it is often impossible to tell thespian from milkman, with a few charming exceptions.
The story involves the capture of a strange creature, which seems to control or represent the telecommunications industry.
The upshot is that people come blinking out of their houses, unable to surf the net or text themselves into oblivion any longer; neighbours start talking to one another and friendships are made.
It’s simple, honest material nicely presented, and if it occassionally lapses on the side of sincerity, it feels like the story of friendships formed and expectations overturned is actually coming true in front of your eyes. And that’s a very pleasant feeling.
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