Kings by Daniel Hoffmann-Gill
Written by Notts-born actor Daniel Hoffmann-Gill, Kings has an important story to tell.
Set in Somerville House – sheltered accommodation on Forest Road West – the play follows the lives of four men, each attempting to move on with their lives in the hopes of living independently. When Wayne receives the go ahead to move into his own place, his relationships with the other men in the accommodation are challenged.
With touching moments of comedy throughout, with Kirky – played by Dominic Grove – providing much of the necessary comedy relief, including a particularly hilarious scene involving an improvised ‘road trip’ down the A1. Indeed, Grove created an extremely loveable character out of our Kirky, whose misled attempts at creating a family land him in more trouble than before, and whose autism/Asperger’s often end in outbursts of extreme emotion. A job well done.
A truly moving speech from actress Sophie Ellerby, who played care worker Sarah, was expertly delivered with the depth of emotion that tugs the heart strings good and proper. Her ability to switch between characters with clarity is also a point to mention – she’s got a cracking pair of lungs on her an’ all.
While I believe Hoffmann-Gill’s agenda to be of vital significance to our current social climate, and the vitality of organisations such as Somerville House in the face of fresh measures of imposed austerity is a necessary conversation to have, the script was a tad clunky in places in favour of pushing this message. Characters delved into lengthy speeches about the hardships of their lives, which often felt like first time declarations despite the fact that the men were assumed to have been living together for an extended period of time. It’s important to hear the stories these characters have to tell, but perhaps a less obvious method could have been employed.
Nevertheless, an important piece of drama using disabled actors to play disabled parts. Why this isn’t the norm in theatre in the 21st century, I will never know.
Kings at Nottingham Playhouse
Interview with Daniel Hoffmann-Gill
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