Spur of the Moment – atyp

Overview

Fragmented storytelling might be all the rage, but it takes a work like Spur of the Moment to remind you of the rewards of a tautly written play that charges on forwards. British playwright Anya Reiss wrote Spur of the Moment at age 17 and it was first performed at London's Royal Court Theatre in 2010. This ATYP production is evidence that well-made plays allow actors to really flex their performance muscles.

Reiss is on point in her characterisation of a tired middle-class marriage that has been pushed to its limits by money troubles and infidelity. Nick and Vicki Evans (played brilliantly by Felix Williamson and Zoe Carides) have managed to ensconce themselves in a pattern of amusing but nasty banter. Their 12-year-old daughter, Delilah (Holly Fraser), seems to take the whole palaver in her stride. To make ends meet, the Evanses have had to rent out a room to university student Daniel (Joshua Brennan), who is, in the parlance of Del and her friends, "so hot". The drama that follows is hilarious and excruciating.

What’s immediately satisfying upon entering the large, draughty space at ATYP is the bourgeois cosiness that designer Adrienn Lord has created. The split-level set gives a view into Del’s room on the right and Daniel’s room on the left, with the kitchen and living room below. It’s a jam-packed design that fulfils the play’s need for private spaces as well as claustrophobic intimacy between everyone in the house.

Director Fraser Corfield, assisted by Sophie Kelly, has thankfully muted the slight whiff of plaintiff moralising in the writing and chosen instead to revel in the absurd behaviour of a 'fucked up family'. And the cast is more than happy to abide by this interpretation; they look like they’re having fun.

The acting champion of the evening is Williamson. Dressed in high-waisted slacks and knitted vests, he has nailed the bumbling, hopelessly out-of-touch dad. I recommend sitting as close to the front as possible so you can see his facial gymnastics, in particular his excellent TV watching face. Del’s group of bratty girlfriends, played by Simone Cheuanghane, Madeleine Clunies-Ross and Antonia Lewin are a fantastic support to the drama, as is Lucy Coleman playing Daniel’s irritating girlfriend, Leonie.

Corfield mentions in his notes that young people’s theatre is for everyone, not just the young 'uns. He’s absolutely correct. This is up there with the best indie theatre you’ll see all year.