Review: Because We Said We Would, Alma Tavern & Theatre – ‘Raw, visceral and poignant’

The bold and brilliant Because We Said We Would is a production both brimming with audacious invention, and poignant enough to reduce both the performers and the audience members to tears. This show from south west-based Fox n Hound Theatre deserves to be packed to the rafters for its brilliant writing, thoughtful direction and mercurial acting.

However, the football frenzy that enveloped the nation on last Saturday combined with the bone-crushing chill tested the mettle of even the most ardent theatre goers. The dozen people present at the Alma Tavern & Theatre were treated to a show-stopping spectacle which would live long in the memory.

Led by Helen Fox and Codge Crawford, Fox and Hound is unafraid to tackle difficult and often overlooked issues such as cancer diagnosis, the class divide and the pressures of societal expectation.

Helen Fox as Jeannie

The story begins when the seven year-old Jeannie meets Tam from school. Initially Jeannie was slightly taken back by the goofiness and unpolished persona of Tam but they strike up a friendship on their shared passion of music, especially Queen. They grow up together and then move apart naturally as they follow their own direction.

Jeannie goes to university; Tam does not have it easy at the hands of his domineering father who makes light of his love for music and creative endeavours. However, he starts to gains success, which also earns him an entourage.

Despite growing apart Jeannie and Tam have always retained a deep affection and care for one another. The climax of the story comes when Tam opens a letter detailing Jeannie’s sexual assault which reduced her to shame, disgust, anxiety and eventual suicide. The audience was left in stunned silence, and some were visibly moved.

The simple and flexible set design

The creative duo, Fox and Crawford are bold and brilliant in their portrayal of Jeannie and Tam which they perform with disarming ease. The rich palate of emotions, from joy and elation to naivety, resentment, anger and betrayal are delicately painted with fine brush strokes without ever bordering on caricatures.

The play also explores the limitations of friendship and the threshold one might not cross even when under desperate circumstances. It leaves the audience with many ‘what if’ questions playing on their minds.

The set design, consisting of joined up whiteboards, is an integral part of the play’s progression. Silhouettes are drawn, dates are marked, the platitudes of elders are written down and a sequence of events is roughly indicated.

Jeannie’s song – Crawford’s original composition in the play – provides a gleaming sheen to the already sterling production. Imbued with an unfulfillable longing and tenderness, it is a swan song for beautiful memories.

The combination of pathos and glee in Fox’s writing is perfectly revealed and projected in Ellie Jay Stevens’ sublime direction, which brings empathy to each character. Stevens, a recent graduate in direction from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, manages all elements of the play with the aplomb of a seasoned theatre director.

The curtain call was marked with a standing ovation and followed by a warm and cordial Q & A session where Fox, Crawford and Stevens shed some light on the production. If you get a chance, this is compulsory viewing for both seasoned and novice theatre lovers.

To keep in touch with future news and events from Fox n Hound Theatre follow @theatre_fox on Twitter.

All photos: Fox n Hound Theatre

Read more: Review: The Boy Who Made it Rain, Alma Tavern Theatre – ‘A powerful exploration of bullying, class identity, prejudices and teenage angst’

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