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The Dumb Waiter tells the story of Ben and Gus, two hit men waiting in a basement room, waiting for their next assignment. As Ben evades Gus’s probing questions and food orders arrive via a dumb waiter, the tension builds, leaving the audience to wonder what on earth is going on?
Abe Rooney and Raphael Pimlott were well cast as the roles of Ben and Gus. I found both of these young actors thoroughly engaging, I especially liked the character of Gus, who I believed the whole audience would have liked to hug. Both were able to display the correct emotion, successfully building tension throughout the performance.
The bright red and white checkered set, was a total contrast to the dark humour shown throughout the performance. It seemed to be incongruous to the story and the men’s profession, and yet it gave off a sense of bleak loneliness that completely fitted with the mood.
The two beds, I noticed were not long enough for someone to sleep in without their feet hanging off the end.
I believe that the New Wolsey Youth Company did justice to the play, performing it as professionally and skillfully as adults. The performance provided laughs, serious moments, and a shock at the end, which I could have kicked myself for not having foreseen.
Suitable for anyone over the age of twelve, The Dumb Waiter shouldn’t be missed.
Lori Thurston
East Bergholt High School
29th October 2009 |