REVIEW: Users, The Picket

Author Irvine Welsh has already pondered what might have happened to the characters of Trainspotting ten years on, in his own sequel Porno. This hasn’t stopped Tell Tale Theatre devising original new piece Users, which intriguingly intersperses flashback scenes from the well-known film (or rather, Harry Gibson’s stage adaptation) with the company’s own imagining of where they would be further down the line.

 

Users takes place over the wedding day of Mark Renton’s daughter. As fresh-faced, innocent Jenny (Kelly Cromby) prepares to marry sweet-but-gormless Simon (Dan Pendleton), the old gang’s dark days of heroin abuse seem far behind them, until a few familiar faces take their place in church…

 

The walk up the aisle is fun, as cast mingle with the audience making their way up to the stage. Tell Tale’s 1984 was the first theatre production I saw in the Kazimier last year, and the company has again broken new ground bringing a full length play to the Picket. Best of all, again it works, with little to mark Users out as a voluntary, community piece. Its quality design, lighting, sound and a great soundtrack is all used to good effect, especially for party scenes.

 

Meera Bala was spot-on as world-weary Alison, and Sean Roberts convinced as Renton, both in flashbacks to his youth (the play begins with the memorable, if disgusting, toilet scene), and as an older, responsible dad.

 

There was some imaginative casting, most obviously when the audience clocked that Begbie was indeed played by a girl. The drawn-on goatee didn’t detract from the fact Sophie O’Shea’s performance was a winner, as she relished the menace that dripped from every drawn out syllable of the character’s thick Edinburgh accent.

 

It’s not the only liberty they take with the psychotic Begbie, and the decision to have him turn up to the wedding with a boyfriend was an eyebrow-raiser, but isn’t quite explained enough to work.

 

Users ran at 90 minutes with no interval, and sometimes it seemed as if there was simply too much to cram into that time for it to really pack the punch it was attempting. Although the familiarity of the flashback scenes were enjoyable (knowing them practically word-for-word), with characters doubling up from the wedding set-up, it was hard to figure out at first what was going on, and the stage seemed a bit too busy at times.

 

But overall this was an enjoyable, ambitious and inventive production that again showcased the huge potential of all involved in Tell Tale Theatre.

Tell Tale Theatre go Trainspotting with new show Users

MADEUP is pleased to hear that Tell Tale Theatre Company is returning with a new production next month.

 

Users is inspired by the characters and events of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting. Described as “an ensemble piece with a mixture of devised and scripted elements, a journey of highs, lows, twists, turns, laughs and the occasional tear.”

 

The show explores the roller coaster of life and the complex histories we create. Can Mark Renton really settle down? Has Franco Begbie finally mellowed? What is Alison’s dirty secret? And why can’t anyone seem to forget Tommy?

 

They say: “Never defined by convention, Tell Tale Theatre confronts tough issues head on in this dynamic, visual and unexpected tale, exploring where the well-known characters of ‘Trainspotting’ might be now.”

 

Get reacquainted with the original characters, and look forward to meeting some of their new friends.

 

“We have had a great time exploring the dynamic personalities created by Welsh. The aim was to create a production which respects the original play whilst adding our own twist and some new characters. The group are an incredibly committed bunch and we hope their enthusiasm shines through,” said producer and assistant director Leanne Jones.

 

Users follows on from last year’s sell-out success of Tell Tale’s adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984.

 

Performances will take place at The Picket on June 7 and 8 – they will also be showcasing Users at Liverpool Town Hall on Friday, May 18 as part of the Light Night events. Tickets are now on sale from www.seetickets.com, or call 0844 871 8819.