"Empty" - March 2010

'Empty' by Cathy Forde, National Theatre of Scotland 'tfd' season.
Draft Review v1.0
Epic Fail.

'Empty' by Cathy Forde, National Theatre of Scotland 'tfd' season.
Draft Review v2.0
tfd? OMG WTF? POS!

'Empty' by Cathy Forde, National Theatre of Scotland 'tfd' season.
Draft Review v6.0
Yes, there are plenty of reasons why it's our fault we didn't enjoy this show. What with us being 30 plus, having seen it all before and having a developed sense of humour. But we don't buy that - we reckon it's much more to do with it being a pointless, cliched, unfunny and unsympathetic portrayal of a teenage house party gone wrong with heavy handed emotional trauma shoehorned into the mix.

The characters are completely unbelievable as a group of friends (with the exception of Lilly & Fiona) and there was more amusing teenage banter being exchanged in the Tron foyer pre-show than there was on stage. The cast do their best but the plot and dialogue is beyond redemption.

Vicky Featherstone's direction adds to the production's woes by having the cast visible in the wings providing sound effects when not featuring in the action. It's a decision that serves only to distract the audience and highlight the distinct lack of any genuine party atmosphere. The show is also in desperate need of a jumping soundtrack and the 75 minute runtime seems more like two hours.

Really, just go watch the DVDs of "Gregory's Girl", any John Hughes bratpack film, or "Dawson's Creek". Alternatively wait for a revival of DC Jackson's plays "The Wall" and "The Ducky" or go see the next show from the Citizens Young Company who have shown that when given the right support the best people to write 'for young people' can often be themselves.

Of course, maybe our little blog will shortly be filled with 'heckles' from hundreds of young adults telling us just how wrong we are...

Empty has completed its run at the Tron but shortly tours to Musselburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen.
Image by Eamonn McGoldrick used with permission.