REVIEW: The Naked Neds – East Kilbride Arts Centre
Hi! Productions have carved themselves a distinct place in the Scottish theatre community with a series of works that have real resonance for their audience. Stories that not only entertain but stories that matter.
Following on the heels of the highly acclaimed This is Where We Get Off and Flatmates, The Naked Neds is a work of real heart and soul charting the lives of Paul (Lucian Burlingame), Harry (Aidan Curley), Tony (Barry Morrell) and Jamie (Ingram Noble) and their late pal Cammy (Lewis Gillon).
These are young men you know or have known. That gang of pals mucking about at the back of class or planning their next lark in the corner of the pub. But these are young men with deeper stories, with problems hiding behind the bawdy jokes and bravado.
We still live in a society where men shy away from discussions on mental or even physical health. How we look to our peers, the inability to show weakness are not only psychologically crippling, but life-threateningly dangerous.
Writer Ingram Noble has bravely grabbed this subject matter by the literal cahoonas. On the surface, the subjects tackled: suicide, cancer and male body confidence may not seem the most attractive to a potential audience but Noble’s script and characterisations provide as many laugh-out-loud moments as poignant and thought provoking ones.
These young men live out their messy (but hugely familiar) lives in front of us, one by one revealing to the audience their innermost torments and finding a bravery that leads them, not only to a place where they can help themselves, but others too.
There are a brace of fine performances from the entire company. Ingram Noble is a deft performer, sure-footed as ‘fat pal’ Jamie and Lucian Burlingame delivers a finely detailed and nuanced performance as the complex and conflicted Paul. The scene near the end between Paul and late pal Cammy (Lewis Gillon) is particularly affecting and powerful.
Noble has found a perfect balance between entertainment and education. It is a fine line to tread and to his credit, he manages it with aplomb. Never preachy, never patronising The Naked Neds is an important piece of writing with the power to save lives. It will have you crying as many tears of laughter as sadness. And where else can you see a live testicular cancer check and a Full Monty dance routine all in one play?
Catch it as it continues to tour Scotland, including a run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 1 – 9 August at The Space at Surgeons Hall. Tickets here: The Naked Neds | Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Four Stars
Image: Jack Geddes
