Two One-Act Plays

Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea

THE Dylan Thomas Theatre Youth Academy operates under the umbrella of Swansea Little Theatre and is in the capable hands of Clare Friswell Owen, who directed these two one-act plays showcasing the younger members, several of whom are already showing signs of becoming real characters.

The first offering was set in a rural village hall during World War II and chronicled the fears and thoughts of a group of evacuees awaiting new billets in an environment of which they knew little or nothing. The characters were nicely evoked, and there were some stand-out performances, although it would be invidious to name names given the fact that the players are so young. There was much here to engage the attention, and the themes — which included bullying and the sense of feeling different and/or isolated — were timeless.

A good choice of production, as was the second piece, Antigone, an altogether more challenging work, but the youngsters rose to the occasion. The staging was very effective, with the Greek Chorus of narrators looking uncannily similar to the "Weeping Angels" depicted in Doctor Who.

If some of the delivery was a little rushed, this will no doubt be ironed out as the players' skills develop, and indeed some of the older players in the group have already learned to pace themselves.

All in all, a delight, and well worth a look.

Graham Williams