On Hold & Herons

'On Hold' by Scratchworks, The Bike Shed Theatre

A dysfunctional messy unprofessional promotions team vie for the promotion of office manager whilst bickering and teasing each other over unresolved sexual tensions.

I feel there was a lot of potential here but what could have been the most interesting parts were brushed over. Was Josie actually sleeping at the office long-term? What was that brief mention about some professional misconduct in Malcolm's past about? Why spend so long diagnosing Katie with depression, and then have nothing come of it, especially as one of the characters was a psychologist?

**
On Hold has now finished its time at the Ignite festival



'Herons' by EUTCo, The Bike Shed Theatre

Thuggery and violence sit side by side with compassion and hope on a park bench by an East London canal.

There were a couple of faults. I suppose there's not much they can do about the fact that the ages of the actors are all wrong, but it does detract from the emotional impact of children going through such violent events when they all look like they're in their twenties. I also found it quite unbelievable that the tough thug character would break down so completely and immediately at the sight of a gun.

Overall, not a bad play, but not really to my taste either.

***
Herons is next on today (Thursday) at 2.30pm

www.igniteexeter.org.uk