DELIVERED - A PLAY AT THE TOWN AND GOWN
Does ‘Delivered’ deliver? The answer is hidden in the second syllable: liver. The play focuses on the aftermath of a successful liver transplant. But just how does one measure success? In a sinewy and ever-interesting plot, a young woman, Tabatha (‘call me Tabs’) has come round from a successful op. Her body has received the living organ of a dead donor, and intoxicated by this gift of life, Tabs wants to know more about the family who generously gave it. Using algorithms (the modern elixir) she manages to trace, Timothy (‘call me Tim’), the husband of late donor. The question is, does Tim want to be found, and if so, what then, and what remains after the thanks yous are done?
The play, written and directed by Town and Gown Theatre’s own Lisa MacGregor, and based on her own family’s experience of a liver transplant, is built on a series of fascinating layers. Jessica Melia plays the Brummie Tabs whose pursuit of Tim borders on manic stalking. Although a tad over the top at the beginning of the one-act drama, her character develops in both breadth and depth. There is a lot in this play about gifts: giving and receiving. Tim, a somewhat life-beaten 30-something widower with a small child (unseen but heard), was played with huge conviction by Adam Boyle, Tabs bursts on his Glasgow home like an uncontrolled firecracker and at first, an unwanted presence.
The strength in this production is that of the ever-developing relationship between Tabs and Tim. It is one that is far from predictable. This is no liver-warming rom-com with a soft centre. MacGregor asks important questions about friendship built on false pretences, about fatherhood, and about the consequences of secrets. Tim’s story, and that of his late wife and her liver, are not what they seem. The balance of power constantly shifts and the audience is, in a theatrical sense, invited to referee
For me, the 75 minutes of the play flew by. The ever-shifting sands of the storyline, the David Mamet-like punchy dialogue full of verité overlaps, the dilemmas of choice and the consequences of untruthful relationships were all explored in a punchy set of short scenes. Tim and Tabs were thoroughly believable, and like all good plays, we cared about them, warts and all. Comic in places and tragic in others, the play was thought-provoking, intelligent and deeply satisfying. It delivered!
The Town and Gown Theatre 15th-17th November @ 8pm
Tickets £13
Website: www.townandgown.co.uk/theatre
Box Office: 01223 306796
