5 short dramas self recorded during lockdown, to be released on a weekly basis.
Written by Jayne Woodhouse
Directed by Calum Robshaw
The impact of Covid-19, with the resulting closure of theatres, festivals and public performances, has meant we have all had to look beyond our usual creative outlets to find alternative ways of connecting with audiences. For our latest production, Lost Souls, we have used the advantages of technology to develop five new short plays, specially written for one and two voices. These have been rehearsed as a company online and then recorded by the individual actors, in or around their own homes.
Each of the characters in Lost Souls is struggling in their own, very different, ways to make positive and honest human relationships. Ray, in Beautiful, is a homeless alcoholic, whose only true connection in life has been with his beloved dog. The mother in Home Comforts is desperate to support her child, who is struggling with their mental health, but can only say all the wrong things. Eddie has made a successful life for himself and his family, but cannot shake off his shady past in Eddie’s Encounter; while Laura, in Chains, cannot recognise that she is being controlled by an abusive relationship. Finally Woebot explores, in a humorous way, what might happen when we let Artificial Intelligence take over our emotional needs.
Lost Souls has been an inspiring project. We have all drawn strength from the spirit of collaboration and a shared need to create new work and adapt our skills to meet the present challenges. It represents one of many responses which show how the arts will always flourish and shine, in even the darkest of times.
Explores themes which some viewers may find distressing.
Artistic Directors
Calum Robshaw
Jayne Woodhouse
Company
Carmen Ali
Neil Gardner
David House
Rosannah Lenaghan
Kayley Rainton
Editing and technical support: John Bruce
Beautiful Available from 6pm on Friday May 15th Written by Jayne Woodhouse
Directed by Calum Robshaw
Edited by Matt Shears
Performed by David House
Home Comforts Available from 6pm on Friday May 22nd Written by Jayne Woodhouse
Directed by Calum Robshaw
Performed by Rosannah Lenaghan
Eddie’s Encounter Available from 6pm on Friday May 29th Written by Jayne Woodhouse
Directed by Calum Robshaw
Eddie: Neil Gardner
Camera: Rachelle Grubb
Chains Available from 6pm on Friday June 12th Written by Jayne Woodhouse
Directed by Calum Robshaw
Performed by Kayley Rainton
Woebot Available from 6pm on Friday June 19th Written by Jayne Woodhouse
Directed by Calum Robshaw
Joy: Carmen Ali
Alex: Calum Robshaw
The latest work by Jayne Woodhouse comprises of five monologues performed in the compilation of Lost Souls produced by loosely Based Theatre. Each of the five characters may be recognised from our everyday life as they battle with their own addictions, mental health problems and difficulties that life in general creates.
David House gives a moving performance in Beautiful talking about his relationship with the dog he bought home from a man in the pub. Bella his faithful dog meant everything to him. Yet his struggle with alcoholism finds him separated from her. After his wife has thrown him out of the house.
Home Comforts takes place as a one-sided conversation performed by Rosannah Lenaghan as the Mother. With her daughter returning home and suffering from mental health problems she desperately tries to do what many parents like to achieve which is to help her get better. However the harder she tries the worse the situation becomes.
Neil Gardner in Eddie’s Encounter is rather an unusually short play. Throughout the entire performance, there is no doubt that drugs and illegal events have led to Eddie being visited by the man on the other side of the camera.
Chains tackle the impact of domestic abuse on friendships and outside relationships. Kayley Rainton plays the victim meeting up with a friend for a quick drink and catches up. Constant interruptions from her boyfriend quickly unravel the scale of abuse and control he holds over her. This subject is never an easy one to watch yet with the rise in domestic violence cases it’s definitely a subject that should be openly discussed more to raise awareness. Teaching people to understand what the signs of abuse are.
Woebot performed and directed by Calum Robshaw is an extremely thought-provoking conversation between Robshaw’s character Alex and his “Alexa” style woebot called Joy (Carmen Ali). The recent break up between Alex and his now ex-girlfriend appears to be a straightforward split. Without giving away too much of the plot I strongly suggest watching this production on YouTube and discover the truth for yourself.
The challenges for performing and filming during the lockdown has meant creatives need to find other ways to make these kinds of productions. Watching this series of short plays is a huge credit to all the actors and creative team at Loosley Based Theatre.
Each of the five monologues tackles a different situation. There are a couple that seems to be slightly far fetched but in an ever-changing world, this could perhaps one day be closer to reality than we would be comfortable with. My overall favourite short play was Beautiful the rich dialogue combined with House’s moving performance stood out to me, the conviction in his performance is definitely worth taking the time to watch.
Four Stars.
TITLES AND CAST
1. Beautiful. Written by Jayne Woodhouse. Performed by David House. Directed by Calum Robshaw. Edited by Matt Shears.
2. Home Comforts. Written by Jayne Woodhouse. Performed by Rosannah Lenaghan. Directed by Calum Robshaw.
3. Eddie’s Encounter. Written by Jayne Woodhouse. Eddie Neil Gardner. Camera Rachelle Grubb. Directed by Calum Robshaw.
4. Chains. Written by Jayne Woodhouse. Performed by Kayley Rainton. Directed by Calum Robshaw.
5. Woebot. Written by Jayne Woodhouse. Joy Carmen Ali. Alex Calum Robshaw. Directed by Calum Robshaw.
Well paced monologues and a dualogue, with some tantalising vignettes
1. Beautiful (Edited by Matt Shears)
A man walking in the rain, agonises over the rift with his wife and what causes him the most pain: He is being prevented from being allowed to see his dog. Actor David House is convincing in the role. His brisk walking pace gives the piece energy and his anguish is perfectly controlled. It reaches its peak at the right time so he’s not at fever pitch throughout and the result is a satisfying arc.
Dog lovers everywhere will have some empathy with the man’s dilemma but it leaves a lot of questions especially as we only get only one perspective. Is the narrator reliable? There are plenty of avenues here for the writer to develop this piece into a full-length play.
2. Home Comforts
Once again there is potential here to expand this into a longer play. The major theme of mental health and the effect it has on family members is barely explored in this monologue.
3. Eddie’s Encounter
Shady dealings of Eddie’s past come back to haunt him in the form of an past accomplice who is asking for money. This monologue is less satisfactory simply because it isn’t very original. The stock character is one with whom we have become familiar in countless films and TV series. Usually it becomes necessary to pique interest by giving the character some unusual traits or perhaps a clever twist in the crime itself.
The hand-held camera work by Rachelle Grubb gave the piece some added interest, as we saw the scene unfold from the perspective of the other character. This character remained silent throughout which left Eddie filling in the accomplice’s words, which wasn’t very satisfactory.
4. Chains
This piece felt quite compelling in places as it slowly revealed the effects of jealousy which result in controlling behaviour as well as physical abuse. A pity then that it has a flaw. The women is speaking to a friend on what appears to be a video call. As she shows off her ring, the friend suddenly snatches her arm revealing that the other character is in the room. What are the pair doing? Having a drink together or making a meal for example? It would have added more interest, depth and dynamic to the scene if something like this was taking place.
5. Woebot
An amusing and original futuristic tale of a siri style robot named Joy, who is jealously guarding her relationship with her human master, Alex. There is an element of parody in the phrases ‘Surely not!’ and ‘That’s dreadful’ which seems to imply that Alex, performed impeccably by Calum Robshaw, goes along with her control of him. He is her willing partner and relationships with real women are just a charade.
The filming of Alex through Joy’s single eye worked extremely well giving a distorted view which resonates with the piece. The room in which it was filmed shows a sofa bed and a fridge which is all that is needed when talking of failed romance. However, the fact that the pet cat decided to join in the scene, was an unexpected bonus which was probably not scripted.
Overall, the last piece was the most complete with others needing development to realise their full potential.
Editing and technical support throughout by John Bruce
‘The characters in Jayne Woodhouse’s ‘Lost Souls’ monologues, battling with their own addictions, mental health problems and more, are impressively brought to life by Loosely Based TC.’ @MyTheatreMates
Audience feedback
‘Beautifully written and performed.’
‘I’ve enjoyed all of these productions. So well written, acted and produced.’
We have made this content freely available for everyone. However, if you’ve enjoyed watching and are able to make a donation to support Loosely Based Theatre Company, we would be very grateful.
