Vera Vera Vera at CLF Art Café

Vera Vera Vera Play Review by Cassie Laver, Photography by Simon Kane

Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com

Vera Vera Vera - short and sweet?

Don’t get me wrong, I love a short play. When I see "3hrs not including interval", my heart can’t help but sink a little. So you’d think that running at just an hour, Vera Vera Vera at the CLF Art Café would be right up my short street. But you know what? I wanted more.

Top of the Peckham order

Vera Vera Vera is the first play by young actress turned writer Hayley Squires. Directed by Jo McInnes, it premiered earlier this year at the Royal Court Upstairs to enthusiastic reviews and has been lovingly bundled off to Peckham as part of the Royal Court’s "Theatre Local" programme. The CLF Art Café itself is a multi venue warehouse space in the 120 year old, ex-arms manufacturing works that is the Bussey Building, moments from Peckham Rye station. Well established for its club nights, the atmospheric upper floor opened as a fringe theatre earlier this year.

The grass is greener on the inside

As we enter the theatre, the whole floor is thrillingly lined with grass – real grass! That must have been why it smelt a bit damp on the way up the stairs. What’s more the walls of the theatre space have been as lovingly painted with a wraparound backdrop of dozens of trees that must have taken forever to do.

Vera Vera Vera, what's it all about then?

There are two parallel narratives at play in Vera Vera Vera (as in Lynn Lynn Lynn). First we meet two teenage loners, Charlie and Sammy, as Sammy psyches himself up to go bust the local bully’s head in. Caring, emotional Charlie is understandably worried for sweet, slight Sammy – but he’s a boxer, so hopefully he’s got the moves. The action then shifts to three months earlier as we join the preparations for young soldier Bobby’s funeral. Siblings Danny and Emily and best friend Lee go to war to figure out who Bobby really was, and how they all fit together now he’s gone.

In Vera Vera Vera: Ted Riley and Abby Rakic Platt as Sammy and Charlie (left) and Danielle Flett as Emily (right).

Danielle Flett as Emily and Tommy McDonnell as Danny (left); Daniel Kendrick as Lee and Danielle Flett (right).

Please sir, can I have some more?

The strong cast give powerful, well-judged performances. The dialogue is tight and brutal. Even the scene changes are smart. Yet Vera Vera Vera is oddly frustrating, and I came away feeling entertained and moved, yet a little unsatisfied. The show felt like a great first act that could have lead into a killer second act which could in turn have given the characters an opportunity to breathe a little and put those tender, blossoming relationships to the test.

What’s in it for You?

The play is definitely worth a look though.

The Royal Court is also running some free industry workshops the CLF Art Cafe part of their Theatre Local season.