In Her Corner
★★★★☆ Hard-hitting
theSpace on the Mile (Venue 39): Sat 3 – Fri 23 Aug 2019
Review by Hugh Simpson
In Her Corner, Tearin’ The Tartan and New Celts’ production at theSpace on the Mile, has a fresh, visceral quality and genuine drive. If there are a couple of false notes struck, it is nevertheless very impressive.
Mikey Burnett’s punchy script details the efforts of Pilton teenager Claire to escape from a potential life of street violence and drug dealing through the world of boxing. The local trainer, however, seems only too keen to judge Claire by her background, while her situation seems to be conspiring against her.
Tyree McClung and Georgia Purvis. Pic: Tearin the Tartan.
If not everything about the production rings completely true, it is not the fault of the material, which has a spare poetry and whose mediations on class and loyalty are cleverly couched. Nor is it down to director Niloo-Far Khan, who has fashioned a production with pace and presence. There is a compulsive energy to the exchanges, and the violence – both sportingly structured and unsanctioned – has a genuine power. Good use is made of the acting area and transitions between scenes are notably well done.
Georgie Purvis gives Claire a conflicted desperation that helps to drive the story forward. Andrew Coleman’s boxing trainer Billy has a gruff steeliness, even if he is a little too cuddly at times.
fire and frustrations
Katie McDonald, as aspiring boxer Angie, is very good indeed, with her fire and frustrations beautifully evoked.
There is a cool stillness to Mia Colquhoun’s portrayal of Claire’s sister Sarah that helps hint at her troubled past, but she does not always convince. Similarly, Tyree McClung’s depiction of the violent drug dealer Ketch, although expansive and full of interest, is often that little bit too exaggerated. Sometimes this verges on caricature, which makes her control over others more difficult to credit.
Such concerns rarely threaten to derail the production, however, as the momentum is maintained throughout thanks to the well structured storyline and dynamic direction.
Running time 1 hour 10 minutes (no interval)
theSpace on the Mile, 80 High St, EH1 1TH (Venue 39).
Saturday 3– Friday 23 August 2019
Odd dates only at 3.20 pm
Tickets and details: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/in-her-corner
Facebook: @tearinthetartantheatre
Twitter: @TearintheTarta1
Instagram: @tearinthetartantheatre
Mia Colquhoun and Georgia Purvis. Pic: Tearin’ the Tartan
ENDS
