Exeter Graduate Theatre Company Reverb dig up Devon’s own shady past with “Agent”: an immersive debut about the malefic effect of unearthing secrets, delivered with an inherent warning that the past is never really dead.
Set in the early murmurs of WWII, the Bike Shed Theatre bar resurrected Fore Street’s Star Stores public house of 1939. Welcomed by the retro tones of a wartime record player, 1930s attire, and the glorious Devonshire burr, it was difficult not to be wholly transported into the charismatic underground local.
The play’s first section really allowed the audience to have some fun in the role of detectives invited to enquire (not always so subtly) into the characters’ personal lives, under the casual employment of placid PC George (Jeff Sleeman). The cast truly showed off their abilities here by not only demonstrating their finely tuned skills of improvisation but by manipulating conversations so a delectable handful of intrique was created and sustained.
It was highly enjoyable to hear each character’s story and personally experience the development of the characters and their relationships with one another. Funnyman Billy West’s (Michael Terry) friendship with simpleton Jimmy Walker (Luke Theobold), and saucy Pearl Davey (Janet Hookway) were highlights, although my favourite with her understated laid-back presence by the bar had to be Catherine Mundy (Amy Harris). Although it was challenging at times to catch every conversation or slight conflict, it was an innovative introduction to a delightful variety of characters.
The relationship between Molly Smith (Lois Baldry – superb fake-crying!), her partner William Thomas (Thomas Gilbert) and her sister Tabby Smith (Jade Berks) and their initial attempts to protect Molly from Paul’s antics, added a really endearing, sincere side to the play, probably the sub-plot I felt most attached to.
The powerful head-turning entrance of crook Paul Parker (Clive Linthorne) gave the scene a kick away from previous frivolities, prepping the audience for the intense climax which took place in the theatre itself. The economic set did well to fit the cast and was enough to create the scene without interfering with characters interactions. It was gripping to experience the script really come alive and take a stronger stance in the play’s latter format, although this was at times let down by occasional uncertainty of line delivery and unmaintained character physicalisation. Nonetheless the suspension of disbelief was extremely well sustained by the overall reactions of the characters on the outskirts of the scene, most notably Rosie Dickens (Anya Williams).
Built up from the first section, the second was full of raw tension and rigidity, with the revelation of Jimmy Walker’s true character as a pleasing twist in the plot. Yet, whether it was the short-lived duration of play or the desire for a greater plot twist, I coudln’t help feel a slight element of bathos at the end. Nonetheless, this took very little from a play charged with such intensity and creativity.
With a humbling mix of students and local actors (arguably some of the best in the South West), “Agent” was a solid debut for Reverb and should stir much excitement for their current project “You With Me”.
exeposedev 