The Slip

Melting polar ice-caps, grubby boots and bubble-wrap combine to tell you this intriguing and magical story. A moving, funny, quirky slice of life, The Slip will leave you spell-bound and wanting more.

‘This play was magical. If the soundtrack had been available on CD I would have bought it. I loved the tiny set which,although hardly changed, began as a kitchen, became an art gallery, and was then the swirling backdrop in the depths of the sea...it spoke directly to my heart and left me with a sense of wonder, it was beautifully written' Jane Sacree The Hereford Times

The slip

'The Slip' mesmerises at The Courtyard

By Jane Sacree

It takes a lot, lately to tempt me out on a Saturday evening. The days are short and as the dark settles around me I am magnetically drawn to me sofa, curtains closed, fire on and Strictly on the TV. But I do enjoy live theatre and The Courtyard is a lovely place to be when it's full to capacity with and excited crowd, some there to enjoy the latest pantomime, and some there, like me, to experience The Slip, a revealing and mesmerising play from Reaction Theatre Makers.

The programme handed to us as we arrive explained clearly what was to come. "originally inspired by the Marge Piercy's novel Women on the edge of time, The Slip tells the tale of zoe who whilst battling with anxiety and in turn with her marriage, experiences the future of the very town in which she lives. Lundwich sits on the coast; it is at risk of collapsing into the sea. The Slip explores stormy relationships and tempestuous seas; it questions the breakdown of communication and ask 'what if? what could happen next? What does the future holds?."

The play opens with a DJ transmitting a radio show, weaving a spell around this intimate theatre and drawing everyone into Zoe's live. From the outset it was clear she had a problem. She portrayed a woman striving to preserve the illusion of normality but for whom life had...slipped. There had clearly been other slips and the tension 'slipping' can evoke in relationships was played out beautifully by Zoe's husband, Liam , as in turn he was cautious, angry and then relieved as he reassured himself his wife wasn't after all, 'on one', his term for a bout of depression.

**** 'The Slip' at Martley Village Hall

By Catherine Crosswell

Currently on tour around various venues in Hereford and Worcestershire, The Slip is a compelling piece of modern theatre that combines elements of drama, music and dance into a very watchable and highly enjoyable performance.

Originally inspired by Marge Piercy's novel Woman on the Edge of Time, The Slip was devised by ReAction Theatre Makers and written and directed by Tiffany Hoskins, who also plays the role of DJ.

The story centres around Zoe, played by Dee Vincent-Lloyd, who is struggling with the relationship with her husband Liam (Lee Farley) and following a visit to an art gallery run by Electra (Michelle Pogmore) starts to experience the future of the seaside town in which she lives.

Music is a big presence throughout from the entry of the audience right to beyond the close of the show, leading to the audience being reluctant to leave, as they are so drawn in to the entire experience. Combining the live playing of musician Guy Smith with the sensuous voice-over from the DJ and an obviously very carefully thought-out play list, the music cleverly weaves together the fluctuating time line and provides the vehicle for combination of movement with sometimes tense dialogue.

Without wanting to reveal too much of the story line as the production clearly deserves further outings, special mention must go to the underwater scene for its combination of effective lighting, great music and intricate movement, particularly from Electra.

Characteristic of the attention to detail that has gone into the production is the costume design handled by Karen Johns which is unobtrusive yet plays a part in giving insight into the lives of the future inhabitants of the town.

The Slip is a very high quality work and as such deserves to be seen by a much wider audience. The poster and description may conjure thoughts of domestic violence and lead to the expectation of a harrowing story. Though not without emotional depth, the play does in fact tread a lighter path and ultimately leaves the audience intrigued and mesmerised. I, for one, would love to see it again

18-11-11

The Slip at Worcestershire Literary Festival

By Al Jones

An innovative and compelling theatrical production, 'The Slip' stayed with me long after the final words were spoken - there's a kind of transience about the play, an almost mystic quality, you might say, that is quite unique and something you don't encounter that often in British theatre.

Inspired by Marge Piercey's novel, Woman On The Edge, the play begins naturalistically, carthing the marriage breakdown and in turn the emotional breakdown of Zoe, played by Dee Vincent-Lloyd who lives with her floundering husband, Liam, actor Lee Farley, in a house that is literally at risk of slipping into the sea on the crumbling coastline of a seaside town called Lundwich. It was difficult to watch the pair negotiate a brittle path through a relationship that was marred by emotional problems, and the husband in particular trying stoically to say and do the right thing in spite of his weariness with it all was realistically moving.

But following a visit to an art gallery, the realism suddenly melted away as Zoe literally slipped into another future dimension where Lundwhich had been swallowed by the encroaching sea, and life there was very different. There she meets Electra and her friend, (also played by Lee Farley), who takes her on a journey of enlightenment and recovery, with a challenging discussion of what is important in one's life.

Michelle Pogmore's enigmatic movement and dance added another level to the drama here, lifting the play into a realm that was almost dreamlike, helped also by a musical score, ably programmed by a Radio DJ, Tiffany Hosking who comments and steers the audience through the evening with the help of musician, Guy Smith who also plays a ukulele solo at one point!

Great performances by all of the cast ensured an entertaining evening, and the director and DJ Tiffany Hoskins must be congratulated for creating a piece of theatre that was both challenging and innovative.

Published in Worcestershire's Literary Festival Magazine 'Be', 2012.