Craig Taylor’s 'One Million Tiny Plays about Britain' reviewed at Westacre Theatre

I’m always grateful, and delighted, when I discover something new to me, and different, when visiting the theatre.

So thanks to Westacre Theatre for introducing me to journalist and playwright Craig Taylor’s One Million Tiny Plays about Britain, which started life as a column in The Guardian newspaper, presenting a brief flavour of British people’s lives which he overheard during his travels around these shores.

The show, which was simply, but effectively staged, consisted of a number of sketches, some brief, some slightly longer, chosen, apparently randomly, by the throwing of numbered balls, projected in this production on a screen, which was also used to project images and a brief, slightly humorous commentary (delivered in perfect BBC English)!

The sketches, some amusing, some more serious, consisted of conversations and interactions between British people, young and some older, conveying their relationships, concerns and how they saw the issues that affected them, such as, health, sexuality, politics, family life, personal security and so on.

As usual, the Westacre cast, (this time consisting of 12), gave splendid performances, appearing to change character quickly, and efficiently, as the piece demanded. Changes of costume were taken in their stride.

Once again, on reviewing a Westacre production, I praise the cast collectively, and those who worked well behind the scenes and in front of house.

This fascinating glimpse of British life seen from a Canadian’s perspective was directed for us by Matt Grist.

Andy Tyler