The Dummy Tree – The Tristan Bates Theatre, London

Writer and Composer: Conor Mitchell

Director: Stuart Harvey

Musical Director: Chris Huntley

Reviewer: Vicky Bell

The Public Reviews Rating:

Arriving at the theatre I had a slight sense of trepidation. I had seen this show before by another young company as part of the National Theatre New Connections programme in 2009 and was left a little bemused by the whole experience.

Not this time though, the story of a young groom trying to find out who he is only an hour before getting married and of a young mum with a big decision to make is confidently delivered with sensitivity and clarity. Underneath an old tree, decorated with the dummies of children now grown, the Youth Music Theatre cast skilfully take us through the confusions, complications and comedy of growing up.

Chris de Wilde’s design is simple, the tree and a bench are all the set needed to beautifully marry the colour of youth and optimism with the darkness and confusion of adolescence. Director, Stuart Harvey, whose attention to detail is clear, uses this effectively. No movement is wasted here; rather he shifts our focus seamlessly to the characters most in need of attention and serves to highlight the subtleties of growing up evident within the text.

And of the text? Well this is no quick stab at writing an angst filled teenage play for young people to perform, but a well-crafted and down to earth look at the problems that effect young people. You get the sense that Mitchell has done his research and carefully creates characters that are both challenging and fun to play and watch. The music too is challenging presenting the cast with difficult harmonies and complex timings, occasionally I found myself wishing that it would go easy on the cast and give them the chance to step out of the timbre and play more vocally.

This was a solid cast led ably by Kayleigh McKnight whose sensitive and intelligent portrayal of The Mother really gelled the piece together. No easy task for a character that is only able to interact with the others on stage for one moment at the end.

The comic injections provided by Emma Tansley, as bridesmaid come wannabe bride Mingham, and Michael Wells, as best man Nob ,are perfectly executed antidotes to the questioning and hardships experienced by the two lead characters. These are actors who alongside their comedy are able to fully generate the subtleties of vulnerable young people with insecurities of their own.

Groomsman Paul is ably portrayed by Richard Hodgson who’s heart to heart with filming enthusiast Kubrick played by Ben Boskovic is deeply moving. While Katie Spencer and Rebecca Turner provide us with a tearaway teen standing in as a bridesmaid and a wise younger sister to Paul who together hold the wisdom of the piece.

While I would have hoped for a little more variety within the piece (the tempo becomes a little predictable) this is a 75minute show that flew by; such was the audience’s engagement in the journey of characters that we can all recognise and enjoy in their delicate and accomplished portrayal.