Fringe review: Thief
This is a one-man tour de force, most engagingly played by Jack Elliot. A rent-boy sailor tells his story. It’s harsh and loveless, yet Elliot manages great tenderness and humour in the telling. It’s not all scary brutality.
As the play’s press blurb warns: ‘Sailor thrives in the bars, dives and doss-houses of squalid ports. Look, you will see him.
‘Sailor lives for robbery, imprisonment and expulsion. Be his victim.
‘Sailor’s ‘virtues’ are simple: rent, theft, and betrayal. Join him.’
Inspired by the life and works of French vagabond novelist and playwright Jean Genet, it is a dark, challenging, and not for the easily offended.
As Sailor, Elliot has a remarkable range and is truly convincing at both ends of the scale. The full-frontal nudity is totally justified, necessary, and unabashed in this ‘bare all’ self-confession. Technically, as well as truthfully, Elliot and his director/writer Liam Rudden succeed completely.
For not one moment does the pace drop or interest flag, and Elliot’s timing never falters.
Non-Scots might need to adjust their Southern-attuned ears though, as no concessions are made to the vowel sounds more common south of Hadrian’s Wall. Sailor’s not a man to make concessions.
Rudden has achieved a sophisticated and complex piece of theatrical biography and has created a most interesting character, brought to life in this instance by the hot flesh and red blood of a devil-god Scot, wisely he has allowed the actor to take possession of the stage with his skeletal, yet subtle blocking.
Thief, Sweet Venues, runs until 30 August
Words: Richard Franklin
- For more information on the Edinburgh Fringe, show times, and tickets, visit www.edfringe.com
