Songs from the Heart and Elsewhere

Songs from the Heart and Elsewhere is Tightlaced Theatre’s latest exploration of new writing, staging a collection of poems by Beverley F. Wright of the same title.

Under Flavia D’Avila’s direction this collection of homely, down-to-Earth poems has been staged to maximise the narrative content of Wright’s writing, bringing out much of the comedy behind them and accentuating their humanity.

The living room/church hall atmosphere created by the setting of the piece supported the intimate yet everyday text. The different poems addressed many different elements of life; motherhood, growing old, handbags, football and going to the toilet just a few of these. Despite the humour running through many of the pieces, the writing often toyed with clichés, and neither the style or content offered many surprises.

The quality of the performance itself was variable, but Debbie Cannon’s rendition of ‘Annie’s Bunnet’, the ensemble effort on ‘Kevin’s Kit’, and the comedy of Jamie Griffin and Lisa Glen were all worthy of praise.

On the whole Songs offered an enjoyable evening with few surprises. Tightlaced organised the evening to launch Wright’s first collection of poems, published by Parlando Press.

Copies of the book are available by contacting Beverley on 07941724987.