10x 10 New Writing Festival
Chesil Theatre, Winchester
It's an encouraging sign that a full 170 entries were received for Chesil's fourth new writing Festival. Perhaps the timely choice of theme – the life, works and inspiration provided by David Bowie – got pens flowing. However, the pieces that made the strongest impression mostly seem rooted in familiar but versatile realism.
Scott Carpenter's Strangers when we Meet, an unfolding dialogue well performed by Paul and Lesley Revell, is convincing and makes its dramatic points subtly.
Cressida Peever's The Glass Spider, featuring a stonking performance by Ros Liddiard as a difficult mother to the nicely understated Charlie Seligman, seems more involving than more fanciful but threadbare pieces, while Joe Starzyk's marital comedy runs smoothly.
Gregory Vines' piece is pleasantly leisurely, but may be constrained by the short duration imposed.
Kirsty Walker has the funniest flight of fancy, and Jonathan Edgington displays the warmest affection for Bowie and old vinyl generally.
Ham Quentin
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