David Pearson’s play delivers a neat scenario – a tutorial between a wildlife photographer and a young man – that covers a lot of ground. If the introduction of higher dramatic stakes doesn’t always fly, the controlled direction from Alice Hamilton is admirable and there’s a lot to interest the audience.
The relationship between elderly expert Tony and the young man he mentors, Marcus, is commendably complex but executed clumsily. The antagonism between them is so immediate it isn’t believable. Tony is too much the grumpy old man, his insights into photography pretty basic, and Marcus is a little too dumb, although the performers, Gerard Horan and Charlie Beck, try hard to introduce nuance.
The play develops well. There are issues around Tony’s professional reputation and his health. Marcus has a backstory, too – an ulterior motive for joining the masterclass, which introduces twists. Hamilton handles the pace perfectly and the cast rises to the challenge. The working -lass background that unites the men is the play’s strongest point, and highlighting the characters’ creativity leads to inspirational moments. That Pearson outlines their families vividly is impressive.
It is a shame that such a tidy affair, with a lot going for it, overreaches. A flashback to Tony’s childhood isn’t needed, although it gives the performers a chance to shine as Beck performs as young Tony and Horan as his dad. A final reunion scene lacks credibility and also feels unnecessary. Neither addition is bad, as such, but the attempt to raise the stakes with suggestions of violence and excessive sentiment feel out of place in a piece whose moments of quiet power are more potent.
Until 23 May 2026
Photo by Pamela Raith
