The play follows Tom, as he fights and scrapes his way through the bleak and desperate times of a young actor trying to make it in the showbiz industry. It brings to light the shady and underhand tactics that are rife within the film industry and emphasises the vulnerability of young actors, looking specifically at the experiences of a young gay man. Encouraged to advertise himself on Grindr, Tom gets trapped in a dark exchange with an anonymous user claiming to be a casting director. Promising Tom chances to audition and ‘make it big’, this person called Damien attempts to exploit Tom and assert his power.
Tom, the actor, takes on a variety of different characters in this one-man show: from his dull yet financially-stable partner Matthew to his embarrassing and doe-eyed mother. Each of these character changes are seamlessly executed, with nothing more than just a shift in body language and change in tone.
Similarly, the stage design is minimal yet multi-functional. On the stage, there is nothing but a chaise longue backed by some 1920’s Vegas style show-lights. These lights double as a phone screen which display the WhatsApp conversations between Tom and the mysterious Damien. Tom and the eerie voice of Damien narrate the conversation as the text simultaneously scrolls up the screen, creating a duality. As the messages get increasingly inappropriate an uncomfortable feeling of entrapment is created. The audience can see these private messages causing them to feel involved and part of Tom’s experience. Other than the use of the screen, there are no props or scene changes, which create a sense of claustrophobia: as Tom stands alone in the spotlight narrating, his isolation and vulnerability is emphasised.
The only draw-back was the character development: I found it hard to believe in Tom's character, as he felt fictionalised and created specifically for this part. Other than the role of the vulnerable and innocent victim, there were no other dimensions to his character.
As the play ends, the industry’s remorseless ethics are highlighted as exploitative and corrupt as Tom is constantly encouraged to sexualise himself for the gain of others. Overall, this play makes a good attempt to shine the light on the dangerous amount of exploitation in the film industry and its far-reaching effects.
Pleasance courtyard @ 14:00
To check dates and book tickets visit: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/velvet
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