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3 October 2024
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5*****
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This is a review and it isn’t. Maybe it is a review of a revisit.
I had the pleasure of seeing Past Tents at the Alma Tavern Theatre in Bristol in September 2023, it was before then and since, a piece of theatre close to my heart. My original review can be found here – https://theatreplays.uk/past-tents-alma-tavern-theatre-clifton-bristol/ – I don’t propose to go over it again in any detail, but maybe to enhance it.
In the intervening time between the performances there have been a few tweaks made – noticeably the addition of the numbers 0, 1, 2 & 3 which flash up on the screen during the play and which is explained at the very end – it is just another element which ramps up one of the messages that Seth Jones & David J Keogh are trying to impart. The play was written as a tribute to a friend, Sean Smith, who struggled with his mental health and eventually took his own life. The issues that Alan, in the play, faces are growing and overwhelm him, seemingly to a point of no return. Encouraging men to talk about any aspect of their health and seek medical help and support is something so vital that any form of communication which helps bring this about is important, and why not through a piece of theatre; how many other plays out there do the same?
Past Tents will not please everyone, it doesn’t set out to do this. The message drifts over some heads and viewers may allow themselves to be distracted by the language or the situations, without looking behind the story. For those who are captivated by the shenanigans of the plot, there are rich rewards; on second viewing the comedy is as edgy as it was and still incredibly funny; the moving moments cut that bit deeper and leave a legacy of thoughts and memories which won’t be eradicated any time soon.
Messrs Jones, Keogh and Keegan humbly offer a play of such originality which is drenched in emotions of all hues; it is a small play about huge themes and deserves enormous support as a result. In turn, the production pushes to the fore organisations such as West Sussex Mind – https://www.westsussexmind.org/, Andysmanclub – https://andysmanclub.co.uk/ and Manup – https://www.manup.how/ who all work tirelessly to help support mental health issues.
I think Past Tents will return again (and maybe again) – it deserves to – I for one, want to see it again. So, yes, my review from last year was accurate in my opinion, but I didn’t realise that this is a gold mine which can deliver unexpected nuggets of laughter, tears and entertainment again and again performed by incredibly modest and hardworking people. It should receive huge ovations everywhere it is performed.
After a 5 year acquaintance with this play, I know it will stay with me forever.
Find out more about Past Tents here – https://www.pasttentsplay.com/
