Political unrest leads to voices shouting to be heard and boundaries being blurred as the personal and professional clash and emotions run high. The characters in The Biting Point, set in the race riots of the 1980s, are all waiting for 'the march' when their opinions will finally be counted and a difference be made.
Played in claustrophobic flats, the action moves swiftly from scene to scene with minimal set changes but the same dull walls reflecting the monotony of all the lives of the occupants. The tension in the space shared by Malcolm (Charlie Hollway) and Wendy (Sarah Hoare) is palpable and their interactions build to a beautifully moving climax. Hollway does an excellent job playing an angry young man with both fire and depth and Hoare captures the innocence of Wendy, making the character humorous and yet intensely moving. The intrusion of Linda (Victoria Bavister) as an impatient rebel fractures their relationship and leads to the most dramatic moment of the production.
Lizzie Roper sensitively portrays the character of Ruth and her monologues are delivered with a strength and intensity that make them fascinating to watch. The scenes between Anna (Jessica Barker-Wren) and Dennis (Gyuri Sarossy) are equally intriguing and demonstrate perfectly that idealism and practicality do not always combine.
With a very carefully constructed script that allows the audience to test their own principles and prejudices and with an extremely strong cast, The Biting Point must be one of the most hardest hitting short plays currently running in London.
Until 12th March