Juror #8 EutCo Theatre Company 2012

Orphans by Lyle Kessler Directed by Gerri Farrell Two brothers live in a house in North Philly. Although adults, there is something child-like about these orphans. The eldest supports himself and his slightly retarded brother by petty thievery. One night he brings home a rich older man to get him drunk and rob him. It turns out that the man – Harold is very rich and on the lam from a hitman. Harold establishes the house as a base of operations and, in a strange, hilarious and moving way, becomes the father figure the boys have always yearned for. www.jampottheatre.com 'An absolute delight.' WHAT'S ON STAGE http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8831337341898 The relationship between the brothers is captivating from the off, and Foster’s brooding, angry Treat is balanced well with the vulnerability of Phillip.' READING POST http://www.getreading.co.uk/entertainment/theatre_and_dance/s/2114007_review_orphans _at_south_hill_park

Motortown EutCo Directed by Charlie O'Reardon Zoo Roxy, Edinburgh August 2012 WOS Rating: 4/5 EUTCo return to the Fringe with another Simon Stephens play following the success of Bluebird last year. Motortown is the story of Danny, played here by James Dartford, who returns home after a stint fighting in Basra with the army. He returns emotionally and psychologically damaged, and is faced with returning to a normal life. Motortown is dark, brutal and hard-hitting. This production manages to capture the anger, cynicism and bitterness of Stephens’ text, while bringing out the humour and sensitivity with skill and maturity. As with all of the playwright’s work, this is heavy stuff with a number of violent and unpleasant scenes. With the exception of a couple of amateur sound effects, all of these challenging moments are expertly tackled with tight direction from Charlie O’Reardon. Dartford gives an intense and sadistic performance as Danny, even if he doesn't always get the physicality and posture quite right. There is an absence of any physical manifestation of his state of mind – at one point a character refers to his “hand shaking”, although Dartford doesn’t actually ever shake. This is a vital mannerism which...