Plymouth Theatre Review

Easy to Follow: 4

Family Friendly: 3

Must see: 4

Title: Piece of work

Venue: The Drum, Theatre Royal

Date: 01/05/2024

‘Piece of Work’ is a poignant and charming one man show by James Rowland that explores the relationships between himself, his brother and both their fathers in a powerful performance set against the backdrop of personal revelations, emotional terrain and the exploration of family dynamics. 

As the audience were entering the theatre, James could be seen backstage playing the piano, welcoming us into the space. It was clear from the start that James is an adept theatre maker, having been touring shows half his life. His cheerful and endearing demeanour was evident from the moment he walked onto the stage and started to change into his pyjamas, with ‘Electric dreams’ by Human League blaring out from a small portable speaker. 

James begins by introducing himself to the audience and assures us that “this is not the show!” Of course, it is part of the show and goes a very long way to endearing him towards to the audience, assisting him in creating a warm, welcome and intimate space for him to tell his story. 

Starting with an unexpected letter, James takes you on a journey, provoking you to examine the world we live in and the relationships we live through as part of our existence. James delves into the intricacies of relationships, tracing the threads that bind us to our loved ones while navigating the labyrinth of our own identity. 

Despite the personal nature of the material, the show doesn’t feel invasive, it feels intimate, personal and inviting. It’s a crucial mix of introspection and respect for boundaries.

The frequent jumps between characters, James and Shakespearean quote,  puts the audience at ease and enthrals you into James’ eloquent, thought provoking and masterful storytelling that teams with charm. Throughout the show, James effectively navigates the changing emotions of both the scene and the audience with ease, taking us to uncomfortable moments of paused silence and retrospective thought, to laughter and glee the following minute with a quick anecdote or aside filled with love and humour. James’ unwavering commitment to authenticity has the ability to evoke a symphony of emotions within the spectator – When James feels something, the audience feel it too! With the boundaries between performer and audience being firmly cast aside in this show, James invites the audience to not only witness the emotions but feel them resonate in their own hearts as well.

This journey is littered with references to Shakespeare and Hamlet, proving his adeptness at making shakespearean language accessible to all, with skilful and expertly delivered quotes, taking you out of the story for a second and allowing you to marvel at his proficient delivery and deep understanding of shakespearean lanaguage. 

James shared with us a series of maps, highlighting important places in his life, past and present, and introducing us to the people who reside within these maps. James is posing questions to the audience throughout about the nature of childhood memories, growing up, the relationships and feelings we retain towards both figures, places and even food, in our lives as we grow. 

This show is a marvel of storytelling and humour, full of both charm and intensity in equal measure. James’ infectious energy and enthusiasm compels the audience to examine their own experiences making the audience’s thoughts and feelings as much as part of the show as his own. 

It is a testament to James’ skill and artistry that despite the deeply personal nature of the material,   the viewer feels like a welcomed companion on this profound exploration of the human experience. This shared journey is a delightful road trip of love, laughter, unexpected twists and heartwarming moments that make it a joyride not to be missed!

Review by Ami Philpott