Things To Do in Mull
★★★☆☆ Humorous
theSpace on the Mile (Venue 39): Sun 6 – Mon 14 Aug 2023
Review by Hugh Simpson
Things To Do In Mull from Agree to Disagree Theatre and New Celts, at theSpace on the Mile, makes up for in charm for what it lacks in depth.
Donna Soto-Morettini’s one-person play is inspired by Gogol’s Diary of a Madman, and it is not much of a spoiler to reveal that not much of it takes place on Mull. Janusz (Robert Litwin) is an Edinburgh University postgraduate putting off starting his thesis on 17th century Polish history.
Robert Litwin in Things to do in Mull. Pic Agree to Disagree Theatre
He has set his heart on a fastness in Mull in order to escape the distractions of modern life – not just the temptations of social media, but also the bad advice that the talking dog in the British Heart Foundation charity shop gives him regarding his romantic chances with the woman who has just started working there
The script is on the slight side, and it is hardly original to be told that someone could be distracted by YouTube and TikTok. However, it is humorous and well structured. Litwin keeps things ticking along nicely, with an easy flow and rhythm to his performance. He engages well with the audience and presents a sympathetic figure throughout, helped by the direction of Michael Stephens, who ensures that there is sufficient variety and pace.
elegance
The evocation of a life that can be lonely when surrounded by virtual friends is done with some elegance, with the constant calls from Janusz’s mother being cleverly used. The use of projections, notably of his old teacher (Nathan Young), work less well, appearing unnecessary.
Having established the situation and character, however, the play does not really do much with them. There is no real sense of a journey (either emotionally or to Tobermory) and even at 35 minutes long it appears stretched.
Despite this lack of depth, the humour of the script and Litwin’s performance make for an agreeable experience.
Running time 35 minutes (no interval)
theSpace on the Mile (Venue 39), 80 High St, EH1 1TH
Sunday 6 – Monday 14 August 2023 (even dates only)
Even dates only at 11.20 am
Tickets and details: Book here.
Agree to Disagree Theatre links:
Facebook: @ATDTheatre
Instagram: @atdtheatre/
Twitter: @ATDTheatre
ENDS
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