The Rubber Room ***

The Old Vic Rehearsal Room, London

EXCERPT: “About teachers who have been put into detention centres for misdemeanours and who wait, seemingly indeterminably, for their trial and the chance to return to their vocation, tempers fray in what is a naturally quite emotionally turbulent and claustrophobic environment.”

The T.S. Eliot UK/US Exchange is one of various artistically valuable projects that Old Vic New Voices (The Old Vic’s talent, education and community department) manages to execute with commendable professionalism and flair. US writers apply in their droves to be one of the lucky six that are flown over to the UK and have their scripts produced, directed and enacted by a team of the UK’s top talent. Having been on the judging panel that determined that, from the 130 scripts sent in, Stacy Davidowitz’s The Rubber Room would be one of the 20 plays to go forward to the last round, watching it in performance was always going to be an interesting affair.

About teachers who have been put into detention centres for misdemeanours and who wait, seemingly indeterminably, for their trial and the chance to return to their vocation, tempers fray in what is a naturally quite emotionally turbulent and claustrophobic environment. The concept is an interesting one that is made less predictable by the facts we are fed: the state still pays the group their teacher salaries, and they could all leave the room if prepared to give up their teaching dreams into the bargain. The characters are well delineated and developed and the piece takes us through the various sob stories behind each character’s arrest, whilst developing relationships and intrigues within the world of the room itself.

With the strong foundation of a solid script, director Simon Evans has nicely managed the balance between developing eclectic individual personalities and retaining a framework that keeps the production cohesive. Acting is impressively strong across the board, but it is Frances Ashman's performance as Mrs George that is really notable. Negotiating laughter and tears (both hers and ours) with the ease of a real pro, she's definitely one I'm keen to watch out for.

The Rubber Room was performed at The Old Vic Theatre. For other events showing there, please see The Old Vic Theatre website.