Game Over and Ric-o-chet

Speaking Up Theatre Company

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College

Speaking Up, formed by BTEC students at Richard Taunton, aims at tackling challenging subjects. Game Over and Ric-o-chet certainly live up to this, the first set as a video game exploring the refugee crisis and the war in Syria, the second an exploration of the minds of those undertaking a Columbine School type shooting.

The video game was an interesting narrative device, both heightening the drama of the story of eight-year-old Ghina and her desperate flight from war torn Syria to refugee, and hinting at the way we have become desensitised to images of violence and the situation of our fellow human beings.

Ric-o-chet was more reflective, somewhat less polemic in its tone, though it shared strong dramatic sensibilities, committed performances, excellently choreographed scenes as well as a good use of technology.

Both pieces showed a mature engagement with their subject matter and were presented in a confident, visually interesting way.

Karen Robson