Plenty of pop and no corn in this adaptation

Old Town Theatre Company has once again chosen a play that not many other companies would attempt.

Popcorn, written by Ben Elton, is a thought provoking, hard hitting play. It is not for the faint hearted, with strong language and violence throughout.

So then, how did they produce a piece of theatre that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and completely immersed in the plot?

It has to have excellent direction. Without that you might as well not continue any further.

Director, Ashley Heath, managed the violence and sexual behaviour with great realism and made it all believable. The actors followed it through with excellence.

I am not one to use that word lightly. These players surpassed themselves, each giving a stunning performance. They made me believe in them, they made me believe it was happening and they made me believe that I was part of that happening. Is that hard hitting enough for you?

Some members of the audience may have been shocked by its content. That is why Ben Elton wrote it. Shocking an audience can sometimes make them sit up and take notice. I won't reveal the plot, suffice to say these things really do happen, the kind of people characterised in this play do exist. That is what makes it even more shocking.

Julian Smith, as Wayne Hudson, a psychopathic killer, is portrayed with such realism, even down to the American drawl that suited him. An Oscar winning performance this.

His girlfriend, Scout, played by Ailish Corcoran, was superb too. Their changes of character in the various moods portrayed by them showed great skill; so much so that I found myself liking their characters. Or maybe I felt sorry for them, I don't know. Is that what this play is all about? I think so. It's well written by a clever writer. The tension builds to boiling point and stays there.

Bob Charman, as Bruce Delamitri, a film producer was once again in his element, in a role that he made his own. Superb stuff. Tanya Barker, Fenella Harrop, Amanda Bodilly and Adam Elvin, in no particular order, were all well suited to their respective roles and played them quite brilliantly.

I congratulate this company for a job very well done, right down to the set, music and costume. Some may disagree after sampling it, purely because of its content. They certainly shouldn't fault the acting.

If you haven't seen it then you missed a great play - all be it a little controversial.

To make this play believable, whether we like it or not, takes some doing.

OTTC achieved it.

Popcorn's final night this evening.

Ros Hollands
Swindon Evening Advertiser