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Picture
Triple Helix Productions - DNA by Dennis Kelly
If there was any pressure on Triple Helix Productions, having the knowledge that their first production was playing to a sold out audience, you would never have known.  

We are introduced to each of the characters of this hard-hitting play as they enter the simple but effective set and there were no weak links with this very confident cast, each clearly showing that they had worked hard on forming solid, believable characters -vital for a play of this kind.

DNA by Dennis Kelly follows the silent yet intimidating, 16 year old Phil, played by Danny Whitelaw, and his fearful following of misfits as they come to terms with the consequences of a practical joke that ends in tragedy.  

Playing a part that has a huge percentage of your character staying silent would seem to some actors to be quite a boon, however, a lot needs to be read into Phil’s silence and Danny’s portrayal worked really well, helped in the most part by having Morgan Eves, as Leah, to play against.  You are never quite certain as to whether he is super intelligent or just a complete psychopath. Or perhaps the two go hand in hand?  It got us thinking, either way.

Leah, Phil’s girlfriend, is a hefty role to play with a lot of narrative and long monologues.  The way in which Dennis Kelly writes - lots of sentences trailing off, allowing the audience to decide where the conversation is going - is not as easy as it would seem, however, Morgan made excellent work of what she was given and completely engaged the audience with her realistic delivery.  

This piece deals directly and powerfully with hard hitting, relevant issues, such as violence, guilt, unrequited love, tyranny and solidarity within a group of adolescents who have placed themselves at the edge of society. I loved the use of physical theatre in the scene where the demise of Adam is being told.  This worked really well and there were gasps from some members of the audience as it forced us to  realise the severity that this tale was taking.  

Alex Connelly played the aggressive and volatile John Tate whom the rest of the school fear.  He performed this part well with just enough toughness and then vulnerability needed for us to believe what happens to him later on when things start to go horribly wrong.  Almost as a comedy sidekick, Devante Williams-Fleming gives us a humorous diversion with his character Danny who is desperate not to get involved with the gang’s deviousness; declaring how much he needs to do well at school in order to qualify as a dentist - his dream job.

The stand out performance for me was from Jack Clark who went from simpering crybaby to a babbling lunatic with his wonderful characterisation of Brian.

The play flowed nicely with a good pace, keeping the audience engaged.  Simple but effective lighting made for great atmospherics as well as some realistic sound effects and emotive music.

Josh Picton has done a great job directing his cast and I look forward to seeing what else he, Harry Neal and Sam Thomas can do in the future.  They have certainly set the bar  with DNA.  

As Dennis Kelly himself said about the play, “I don’t really know what I’d like the audience to take away from it. I’d like them to like it, but in my experience audiences are composed of many varied individuals, and they will all feel completely different things that the playwright really has no control of. All you can do is try to make it as good as you think you can make it and see what happens.”

Judging from audience reactions, I think Triple Helix Productions have certainly made it as good as could be and have successfully done this particular playwright as well as themselves, proud!


What the audience thought

James, 27, Eastwood

“I thought it was a really good storyline.  It really drew you in. I liked Adam’s speech at the end and John was fantastic with great expression. I thought it was really well put together.”

Rebecca, 27, Rayleigh

“I thought they all did a great job.  They have obviously worked really hard.  It was very believable.”

Steve McCartney, 54, Southend on Sea

“Good set.  The soundscape was really emotive.  Well directed with good attention to detail. Brian and Phil were both excellent but all the cast worked very hard and at an equal level.  I thought it was a sterling first effort for a new group.”

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