One act plays can be tricky to pull off as they have to grab the audience’s attention immediately and Tell Me Straight by Paul Bradshaw – who also takes a part in his own play along with young and very talented actor George Greenland who plays multiple roles – this is achieved with ease.
Both actors give assertive and assured performances playing out Bradshaw’s very chatty script which is totally captivating. This dramatic project has a relevant vibe that tells us about teen anxiety, sexual awakening, the curse of social media, the dangers of dating, the pros and cons of even trying to have a relationship.
Supported by Stephanie Levi-John who provides a voice-over of an unseen character called Dani. This serves as a good plot device to move the story along as she expresses her opinion on the guys that Bradshaw’s character meets and his subsequent actions.
Bradshaw is a wordsmith and he peppers the dialogue with well placed and timely comedy moments giving it a certain edge; especially when he addresses the audience via various monologues.
These two actors are a totally talented duo who tell a tender story about being a gay man where if you learn to differentiate between having just sex and being made love to, you stand a chance of being happy.
Tell Me Straight suggests we are all attracted to types which makes for a great running gag throughout the whole play. I totally concur. Smoothly directed by Imogen Hudson-Clayton. A great play and well worth seeing.
*****
Tell Me Straight runs to this Saturday 21st August at the King’s Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, Islington N1 1QN. Box office: www.kingsheadtheatre.com
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