Pupil At The Park Theatre Review

Listen. Feel. Play.

That’s one of the key message shining through in new play ‘A Pupil’, currently performing its world premiere at Park Theatre. Just close your eyes, listen, feel and play the music.

In a North London bedsit which has seen better days, we met former professional violinist Ye. She is living alone, using alcohol to dull her pain and is contemplating suicide, with only her landlady Mary as a source of the outside world. Out of the blue, a young aspiring violinist and wealthy heiress arrives with one purpose: to be taught by her role model Ye. But can greatness be taught? Forming a bond, the roles of pupil and teacher become reversed as they learn and teach each other life lessons. It is a powerful and emotive play about musicianship, music, friendship, success and failure.

Playwright Jesse Briton, an Evening Standard Award nominated writer, has created a funny and poignant piece about the human condition that tugs at the heartstrings. His co-founded multi-award winning company Bear Trap Theatre have produced the production in association with Kosky Productions and Park Theatre.

Flora Spencer-Longhurst who plays Simona is a young talented actor to watch. She beautifully transforms from the arrogant, prickly teenager to a slightly more humble young lady. She is mesmerising when she superbly plays a number of live original compositions by
music co-ordinator and composer Colin Sell. The stage direction and lighting at this point ensures the audience is fully focused on the music. The music indeed becomes a character in and of itself.

Starring Lucy Sheen as Ye was brilliant at showing her character’s vulnerabilities hidden behind a rough exterior. Melanie Marshall played the warm-hearted Mary with great comedy that had the audience laughing throughout and her projection was fantastic. Carolyn Backhouse as Phyllida, director of Strings at the Royal Conservatoire, has a smaller role but one she performs well.

Resident Director Jessica Daniels and set designer Jessica Statin, have created a set that speaks volumes about the characters and themes. All the action takes place in Ye’s flat, where there are scattered sheets of music and whisky bottles. There are a number of violins hanging from the ceiling, most of them broken in some way or another. This could serve to represent the success and failure as well as the turmoil our characters face. They also cast an eery shadow on the wall and this was one of the lasting impressions of the play.

‘A Pupil’ wonderfully merges fabulous writing with classical music and reconnects us with the only universal language- music. So go and listen and feel the music.

A Pupil is performing until 24 November 2018. Evening performances are Tuesday to Saturday at 19:45 and matinees are on Thursdays and Sundays at 15:15. There is a dementia friendly performance on Thursday 15 November at 13:00 and an Audio describes performance on Friday 23 November at 19:45.

Standard ticket prices are £18.50, concessions are £16.50, children under 16 are £13 and Young Patrons are £10. If you are going in a group, the 11th ticket is free.

Address: Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP

Website: www.parktheatre.co.uk

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Twitter: @ParkTheatre

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Written by Caitlin Neal