REVIEW: The Morning After by Peter Quilter @ Above the Stag
Carole Todd
The Morning After
Peter Quilter
Above the Stag
Since the glorious new Above the Stag Opened about a year ago, it seemed the main, commercial shows went in the bigger space and the smaller, experimental ones were thrown into the smaller place and allowed to just get on with it.
But, after the extensive re-build in the smaller “studio” theatre, we now have the choice of two first class spaces both with tiered seating and full lighting rig. The plan for the smaller theatre is that all LGBTQ+ messages will have a space and voice to communicate with all whilst the slightly larger space can continue to offer up historical commentary, modern LGBTQ+ musicals, important current issues and now, fun, farce orientated entertaining comedy plays.
The Morning After is a happy, gay play set in modern times but but evoking a sense of a 70’s sitcom. In fact, I felt at times , I was in the audience of a TV studio. The first 15 minutes was completely a “one shot with no editing” and certainly drew us into the scenario due to the immaculate , comedy direction of Andrew Beckett drawing the most out of the two young actors waking up in bed, the morning after.
Both Chris Cahill ( Adam) and David Fenne ( Thomas) are two fine young actors who deliver not only the comedy but the development of their journeys during the piece.
Supporting well, especially in the enhanced farce elements of Act 2, we have Colleen Daley playing the sex- obsessed Mum Barbara and Matthew Lloyd Davies as the totally bonkers Uncle Martin both helping bring the madness of Act 2 to a fulfilling end. Interestingly, this play started life as a gay play but was changed into a straight play where it became highly successful all over Europe. This is it’s premier in the UK and, also, in English. Long may the rainbow flag wave.
Perfect set from David Shields, as ever, with immaculate lighting by Jamie Platt.
It is a happy, fun-filled evening that celebrates ( to quote playwright Peter Quilter) “ complicated sex, family and marriage plus all the joys and complications of being gay. By the end of Act Two, everybody is still alive!”
