Fascinating ‘Stories Sketched in Glass'
A superb production from WYO to celebrate their fortieth year.
I’ve always been fascinated by stained glass windows.
I remember watching them intently as an altar boy in St. John’s several lifetimes ago.
Because the religious certainty of the picture’s story constantly appeared to change when the light allowed different moods, reactions and movements.
Writer/Director Veronica Coburn brings that same lack of certainty and natural fascination to Waterford Youth Arts summer production ‘Stories sketched in glass’ that centres on how young people connect the past through their present to a very uncertain future.
A recent UNICEF report states that Irish teens are some of the least happy among the world’s high-income countries and multiple individual stories act out that unhappy thought on a raging hot all-night session in Devlin’s house.
The absence of Devlin’s parents and the fear of their return add a frisson of tension as various characters take breaks outside where unsupervised teens poney up in confessional mode.
The now of the conversations give way to their dreams and fears of what lies in store.
There’s a remarkably balanced discussion on teen issues on the cusp of adulthood.
Parents, relationships, boundaries and schools feature a lot. Understandable give that this represents a teenager’s entire world. Over-sensitive parents, under-performing parents, sarcastic teachers, crass rules, who’s into you and who’s not drive discussions as a deep-rooted desire for a normal family experience emerges.
Everyone is looking through a window at the future.
One girl overhears a conversation that her parents are about to divorce and, despite bravado, is terrified of where she’s going to end up.
Another girl’s family are relocating to Dublin but hates the move because all her friends are in Waterford.
Veronica Coburn’s direction and script are right on the money.
Chorus commentary that bounces around the cast give us the teen world as they know it but the conversations that emerge as teens pass from the party indoors to unguarded conversations outside give us macro and micro world views of their issues.
Living up to perceptions disturb.
Cool kids that long for normal and certainty…gingers that struggle with slurs and cruel barbs…teens that actually like their parents…students that are excited by their futures and some that actually do like school are all here.
Performances in this ensemble piece are natural and easy to warm to.
Despite the wordy script and challenges around picking up cues, there is not one single hesitation all night.
A whole world of teenage experience weaves its way across the Garter Lane stage in a production that captivates me from opening to closure and the ninety-minute straight-through performance has a relentless pace.
A superb production from WYO to celebrate their fortieth year.
