HUSK, the first play by former Coronation Street star Rupert Hill, is a masterclass in intimate, immersive theatre that entirely lacked the insecurity of a debut.
Directed by Joseph Houston, this gripping thriller unpacks the troubled past of ex-convict Ray, played by Hill, and his connection to Beth (Danielle Henry), her father Graeme (David Crellin) and her husband Clark (Daniel Poyser).
Hill’s writing strikes the perfect balance of grit and wit, with the audience laughing one moment and holding their breath the next.
David MacCreedy as Stan carried the audience in the palm of his hand in each of his scenes, a beacon of hope for the hopeless Ray during his time in prison.
Alongside its thrilling and humorous moments, HUSK also features a thoughtful and candid portrayal of the struggles of alcoholism and dementia.
The projection of home-movie-style clips seamlessly transports the audience between past and present as the hidden truths of the past slowly come to light. This gives the illusion of a much larger stage and allows for slick scene changes.
However, at times these projections were a little difficult to make out due to the dark backdrop and sometimes directed my attention away from the action as I struggled to decipher what was being shown.
Music almost feels like a sixth character throughout the play, not only accompanying but leading scenes. The characters often directly control and interact with the music, using a record player, a radio, and a walkman at various points throughout.
The all-encompassing sensory nature of HUSK was amplified through Hill’s presence on stage before the play began as well as during the interval. This made the play seem ongoing, imbuing the production with a realism that heightened the hard-hitting themes at its core.
On the whole, HUSK was incredibly well-paced and no act felt as though it dragged.
The acting was compelling across the board and Hill’s solo scenes and monologues were particularly moving.
Ultimately, HUSK was an impressive debut on all fronts and Rupert Hill is certainly one to watch.
HUSK is at Hope Mill Theatre until 29 September before heading to The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster on 2 October for a two-night run.
Featured image: Rupert Hill. Image by Shay Rowan.
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