BWW Reviews: THE ROLLING STONE, The Royal Exchange, April 24 2015

10 years since its creation, The Royal Exchange Theatre's Bruntwood prize for Playwriting celebrated with a photo exhibition and the world premiere of one of 2013's winners - Chris Urch's The Rolling Stone.

For the photo exhibition, Simon Annand captured the UK's top playwrights in their working environments. David Hare, Simon Stephens and Meera Syal were among the playwrights pictured, revealing an insight into the creative process that produces some of the finest pieces of contemporary theatre.

On the evidence of The Rolling Stone, they should expect to count Chris Urch among their number very soon. Winner of the Judge's prize in 2013 - Urch's claustrophobic drama tells the love story of Sam and Dembe, in the backdrop of Uganda's witchhunt of LGBT people.

Topical political theatre is always a risk. It can be heavy handed or polemical leaving no room for the audience to think - but Urch and director Ellen McDougal skilfully avoid this trap delivering a clever, thoughtful and moving piece of theatre that had authenticity and a heart.

This is a stripped down production, with no set for the cast to hide behind - the play lives or dies on the strength of performances and it succeeds on every level. Fiston Barek has a wonderful physicality as Dembe - delivering a performance of emotional depth as brave, loyal, spiritual and frightened young man. Ony Uharia has an incredibly difficult job as Dembe's neighbour Naome, a young girl refusing to talk and hiding a dark secret. But she delivers an exceptional performance - communicating so much with a simple glance or a gesture.

Sule Rimi impresses as Dembe's brother Joe - a new pastor trying to revive a failing church and care for his family after the loss of their father. There isn't a weak link in the cast.

There are touches of Arthur Miller's The Crucible as the fear of being branded Kuchu (gay) grows among the community - and such comparisons do Urch no disservice. There are gasps from the audience as secrets are revealed and we find out just how strong family bonds can be. This is an accomplished piece of writing that deserves its place at the Royal Exchange - Chris Urch is a name we will hear much more from.

The Bruntwood Prize for 2015 is still taking submissions at Writeaplay.co.uk - with the standard like this, who wouldn't envy the judging panel?

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