ED2015 2/5 Reviews ED2015 Theatre Reviews

Derby Day (Camisade Theatre Company)

By Stephanie Gray | Published on Wednesday 19 August 2015

The Ballard brothers have gathered on Derby Day after the recent death of their father. As they see him off in style, with a luxury box and an exasperated waitress catering to their every need, family secrets are spilled and the reunion of Ned, Johnny and Frank is far from harmonious. Towards the second half of the show you can’t move for fight scenes; they certainly use every inch of the stage (and the furniture). The fighting is so ridiculous it verges on farce – but it does become a bit tiresome. Samuel Brett Williams has written a script that touches on real issues, but this family has so many of them that it’s difficult to take them seriously.

Gilded Balloon, until 29 Aug.
tw rating 2/5 | [Stephanie Gray]