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Review : Jamaica House, The Dukes
A THOUGHT provoking tale of two people's very different lives is told in Jamaica House, the latest offering from The Dukes.
Jamaica House tells the story of middle-aged Jean, who revisits her former home in the final moments before it's demolished.
The tower block flat holds many memories, both happy and sad, for Jean, and she reminisces as she says goodbye for the last time.
However, young demolition worker Naz finds there's more than meets the eye to Jean's reasons for visiting Jamaica House one last time, and what follows is a sad and sometimes heart-wrenching tale.
Listening to Jean also gives Naz the chance to share the burden he's carrying about his own life, and seek advice from another perspective in a woman who has seen more of life.
At just over an hour long, the play is acted out in real time, building up to a dramatic ending which sadly never arrives.
While I thought the acting of both Hazel Maycock as Jean and Darren Kuppan as Naz was excellent, the storyline was a little jaded and predictable, and I guessed the ending (although I still waited for a dramatic twist which never came) and also predicted the exact wording of the play's final line, leaving a slight feeling of unfulfilment.
However, there were surprises along the way, as the storyline included interesting diversions into both Jean and Naz's lives.
As always with plays in The Round, the actors made full use of the available space, drawing in the audience and keeping them interested throughout.
While not among the most powerful plays I've seen, Jamaica House remains an enjoyable story which is very well told.
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Weather for Lancaster
Thursday 24 May 2012
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