The Stage
Jeremy Austin
10 August 2006

Nominated for The Stage Awards for Acting - Best Ensemble Award

Edmund White's study of an ageing, bisexual society writer's meeting with the young man behind the 1995 Oklahoma terrorist bombing is a static affair.

While the play is essentially two character studies, neither character - Harrison, the young bomber or James the journalist - seem to undergo any development.

James' bisexuality and homoerotic interest in the bomber, while treated as a major character trait, seems to serve no purpose in the piece and appears to be no more than a nod towards Truman Capote, whose name is dropped many times throughout.

Harrison seems a little confused as to why he actually blew up the building containing the local branch of the FBI - it might have been something to do with the Waco siege and trauma suffered from the first Gulf War but White never really explores any of these avenues.

As Harrison, Arthur Darvill, making his stage debut, gives an assured performance. While the script provides little more than a character sketch, he makes his own mind up about Harrison and creates an intelligent, yet misguided, young man who wants to make a difference, but doesn't quite know how.

Peter Eyre, as James, however, is a little less settled with his part and cruises through, his velvet voice smooth on the ear but light on any substance.

Read this review on The Stage website.