Theatre Review: Spinach
Article published: Saturday, March 12th 2011
Manchester-based company Waters Edge Arts bring a darkly humorous and energetic new play to the Studio of the Royal Exchange Theatre.
A seemingly simple yet sinister play, Spinach is a tale of embarrassing emotional realisations. The two protagonists, Kate and Tom, awake at the beginning of the play to find themselves tied to each other with no recollection of recent events. Kate is a timid character who centres her life on helping the less fortunate, while the hapless Tom works in the pharmaceutical industry and has no luck with the opposite sex. As the pair piece together their memories they become closer to their captors and to each other, leading to an unexpected romantic sub-plot.
Spinach has an impressive cast of both new and more experienced actors. Former Coronation Street actor Jenny Platt stars as Kate while classically-trained actor and performer David Hunter takes on the role of Tom. Most of the actors’ dialogue is sung and set to music composed by Simon Waters, one of the founders of Waters Edge. Platt performs well in her first professional singing role and Hunter takes on the role of Tom with vigour. His timing and delivery are flawless throughout and his on-stage chemistry with Platt is difficult to fault.
Liz Singleton and Craig Whittaker take on the roles of Maureen and Darren, Tom’s work colleagues. The pair emerge at various points in the play as Tom tries to remember why he is tied to a woman he has never met before. Singleton, who graduated last year from the Guildford School of Acting, gives an impressive performance as Maureen, performing a jazzy tune on the saxophone in the play’s latter stages. Although at times Whittaker does seem to be over-reaching himself with his singing, his quiet voice and demeanor is a superb artifice before he reveals his true colours as an unhinged individual with a grudge against society.
While Spinach’s plot is surprisingly simple, the play’s execution and vivid detail make it thoroughly enjoyable to watch.
Mohsin Iqbal.
For more information about Waters Edge Arts see www.watersedgearts.com
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