A local play lovingly crafted and delivered with gusto, Any Means Necessary is a hit on as many levels as the thoughtfully conceived multi layered set design. Written by Kefi Chadwick (Mathematics of the heart, SexLife, Le Petit Mort), Any Means Necessary is based on true event, the story follows bent coppers, fast talking lawyers, straight talkin’ Marxists, but at its soul we have a woman who can only tell the truth and a man who can’t.
Dave is brought to life by the no nonsense Samuel Oatley (trained at Rose Bruford College). A deceiving copper by trade, an honest comrade by day, and a cheating husband each and every night, Dave’s decent into madness is years in the making. Conversely, the path to madness for his mirror image, Mel, is more of a volcanic transition. Mel, played by Kate Sissons (Eastenders, Holby City, The Bill) is the lovable heroin of our story. The moral compass, friend to all living life, the dreamer who is saving the world one protest at a time. Until she meets Dave. Three days in a treehouse is enough to turn anyone into friends – but a love based on a friendship, based on a lie will set off a chain of events that will shock the nation and destroy the lives of those most closely invested.
Easing the mood was our Marxist court jester, Gav, brought to life by the excellent Nicholas Karimi (National theatre, Old Vic). Wonderfully Scottish, Gav will argue with anyone about rights and wrongs of anything from international corporations to GM crops. His polar opposite, Jimmy the bent cop, is as London as Frank Butcher. Also played by Nicholas Karimi (hats off to both Nicholas and Sally Hague -Dialect Coach), Jimmy is the face of the dark side.
A BIG shout out for one of Nottingham’s finest, Lily Lowe-Myers; actress, singer, playwright, director, Lily has it all, a true legend in the making. Some fine acting from actress/writer Jo Dockery, theatre stars Beatrice Comins and Louise Mai Newberry complete the show with a stern pizazz.
Any Means Necessary is showcasing at the Nottingham Playhouse until 20th Feb 2016. My advice would be to see it now, before it goes National and the prices go up!
Tickets available from http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Review by Abdul Khan
