Watching memories materialise

The play deals with the friendship between two boys growing up in 1960s Cardiff
Maxie Szalwinska|Metro10 April 2012

Peter Gill's short plays are suddenly popping up all over the place: Southwark's revival comes close on the heels of Lovely Evening/In The Blue at Theatre 503.

Not a lot happens in Over Gardens Out but, if this slice-of-life play requires a bit of patience, it has an elusiveness that works in its favour. The piece is slight, but richly suggestive.

It deals with the friendship between two boys growing up in 1960s Cardiff.

In scenes from their home lives, Gill clues us in on their need to break out. Jeffrey (Jeremy Joyce), who has done a stint in borstal, is all bravado. As Dennis, Ryan Sampson captures a dreamy boredom.

Dennis is tetchy with his parents - he's at that age where he's beginning to be ashamed of his mother even though he adores her. Fear and elation, violence and tenderness are inseparable here (the lads wrestle breathlessly and they're playfully vicious to each other).

Sampson's performance is still uncertain: in one key monologue we listen to the writing rather than him. Dido Miles and Phillip Joseph give thoughtful turns as the mother and father.

There's some miming that jars in Andrew Steggall's production but it is full of graceful touches. When luminous white sheets are pulled down from washing lines, revealing different characters and scenes, it's like watching memories materialise.

Until Apr 16, Southwark Playhouse, 62 Southwark Bridge Rd SE1, Mon to Sat 7.30pm, Sat mat 3pm, £12, £8 concs, Mon all seats £6. Tel: 020 7620 3494. Tube: Borough

Over Gardens Out

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