Herons was on at The Edinburgh Fringe from May 1-31 2013.
OPENING with a single spotlight shining onto a frightened looking youth stood clutching a revolver in shaking hands with tears streaming down an innocent face, EUTCO’s production of Herons by Simon Stephens instantly moves and engages. From the stunning cast through to the understated staging, this excellent production is an emotionally intense and engrossing hour of top quality theatre.
Image credit: EUTco
Dealing with the lives of a broken community a year after the brutal murder of a thirteen year old girl named Rachel, Herons details the journey of fourteen year old Billy and his involvement with the gang responsible for Rachel’s death, an event witnessed by his father Charlie. As the violent and vicious bullying of Billy and his friend Adele intensifies, Billy decides to take action in a naïve and desperate way.
Played with a sense of confused innocence, Jamie Manton’s Billy epitomises the broken youth who desires to escape but is trapped behind a past he doesn’t deserve. A genuinely moving performance from Jamie is a real highlight of the show and is supported by the rest of the play’s exceptional cast. Hannah Lawrence plays Adele, another youth trapped by her background and desperate to find some hope amidst the bleak life she leads whilst George Watkins plays the truly terrifying and malicious bully Scott, followed faithfully by his gang of two Aaron – Henry Fewster – and Darren – Jordan Edgington. Ryan Whittle and Kate Rayner also give great performances as Billy’s supportive father Charlie and alcoholic, abusive mother Michele respectively and overall the cast really bring the play to life.
With one simple set, consisting solely of a wooden bench in the centre of the small stage, EUTCO’s Herons focuses on the human emotions involved in these violent situations without detracting from the emotive performances and Stephens’ cutting, contemporary script. The graphic displays of desperate violence leave a dull feeling in your stomach as you sit passively in the audience but wonder if you would even attempt to interact were you able, whilst other moments inspire a sense of hope for those who are stuck amongst this mess.
Despite having witnessed a plethora of average theatre and comedy during my month at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, Herons does not rank in this category at all. It is one of the best pieces of theatre I have experienced this year in Edinburgh with an outstanding cast and brilliant script.
Emily Tanner, Deputy Editor
Read Deputy Editor Clara Plackett’s experience of The Fringe as a whole here.
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