Grotto – The Lass O’Gowrie, Manchester
Director: Jake Murray
Writer: Chris Dance
Music: Mike Seal
Reviewer: Dave Cunningham
The Public Reviews Rating: 
Timing is everything in comedy and it is hard to imagine a better time to launch a new comedy set in the Festive period. Laura (Hazel Earle) and Julie (Emma Laidlaw) are close friends who have very different outlooks on life. Laura is resigned to struggling with poorly paid jobs but not afraid to show her romantic hopes whereas Julie is a born troublemaker who secretly misses her late mum. Working as elves in a department store Grotto they spend a lunch hour discussing seasonal trivia and reach some surprising conclusions about their friendship.
Author Chris Dance brings an authentic feel to the play – it is very easy to put oneself in the position of the two friends and imagine similar conversations occurring at home over the Christmas dinner. But Dance has not yet fully mastered the technique of presenting discussions on essentially mundane subjects in a manner that holds the attention of, and even entertains, an audience. There is a stilted feel to some of the dialogue, which hinders the natural flow of conversation.
Hazel Earle gives Laura a smouldering edge of resentment and anxiety communicated in a glowering stare. This contrasts perfectly with Emma Laidlaw’s more outgoing, anything goes characterisation of Julie. Crucially the actors convince not just as their own character but working together as friends – they have excellent chemistry. David Slack avoids the cliché of a grumpy Santa and instead offers one who, although world-weary, has enough of a sense of humour to be able to see the good as well as the bad in the celebrations.
Jake Murray directs with a brisk pace and great imagination. A surprisingly effective fantasy sequence uses Mike Seal’s live music to draw the audience into a sing-a- long and brings a moment of panto into the play.
‘Grotto’ is not yet the polished gift that one might have hoped but it is far from being a turkey.
Runs until 17th December 2011.
Tags: Chris Dance, Comedy, David Slack, Emma Laidlaw, Hazel Earle, Hazel Tree Productions, Jake Murray, Manchester, Michael Seal, The Lass O’Gowrie, The Royal Exchange Theatre
