The Bluest Blue – 24:7 Theatre Festival, Manchester

Writer: Paul Osborne

Director: Paul Stonehouse

Reviewer:Dave Cunningham

The Public Reviews Rating:

Student Felix (Tom Gladstone) has his life turned upside down when his lunch- and thoughts – are rudely interrupted by Raquel (Hannah Dee). Strikingly dressed in an outfit that makes the best of her tall frame Raquel gives Felix the chance to point out things that we take for granted and offers suggestions for future actions he might consider. When things do not turn out as Felix hoped he turns to his friend Stevie(Alan Booty) for advice.

The Bluest Blue examines the benefits of taking the emotional risk of reaching out and making contact with other people. In the main it succeeds in exploring this theme in a subtle way that rings true – at least as long as the characters behave like people. When they are used to portray a point of view the show is less successful. Dee gets away with representing the Life Force because she is later given the chance to show Raquel’s vulnerability as she admits to past actions and awaits the consequences. Booty is less lucky as he is stuck with representing wisdom throughout the play. The structure of the play is not perfect. The mood shift, from broad comedy to stark reality and then wistful regret, is so disjointed that it feels contrived. However, the strengthens of Osborne’s writing exceed the slight weaknesses. The dialogue is complex and witty and the themes satisfyingly explored.

Gladstone is excellent taking Felix from someone too repressed to even hold a conversation with a companion to a person able to articulate a sense of wonder at the beauty of the world. The evening is dominated by a blazing performance from Dee who steals every scene she is in either as a gobby chav on a hen night or a more humble figure facing up to her mistakes.

Director Stonehouse delivers a polished production with Edwards’ simple but effective sets bathed in warm summer lighting by Sutcliffe.

Despite an uneven structure The Bluest Blue is a warm and compassionate play with some excellent performances.