As Charlie Lewis and his fiancée, Niamh, plan their wedding and review the guest list, Niamh asks why none of Charlie’s old school friends have been invited, “particularly that Shakespeare girl”.
That sends Charlie’s mind back to 1997 and his last week at school and the summer that followed it. He was at a low ebb at home (parents splitting up), at school (exams bombed out), and with his friends (blanked since an unfortunate incident with a pool ball). Off on a solitary bike ride he comes across a girl from the other side (the posh side) of the tracks. He is instantly attracted to Frances Fisher, and to improve his chances with her he reluctantly gets involved in a holiday scheme production of Romeo and Juliet.
Few authors do adolescent love, angst, and humour as well as David Nicholls. The opening chapter alone – the leavers’ disco on the final afternoon of school – is funny enough to warrant a ‘do not read in public’ warning. But it is not laughter all the way, there are serious issues involved. There is also sufficient attention given to the play to provide some interesting insights into the text.
Charlie and Fran’s romance blossoms, but must
end, he’s marrying Niamh after all. However, twenty years on, a reunion of the
Full Fathom Five theatre cooperative has been arranged…
No comments:
Post a Comment