Written by Jack Brownridge-Kelly
Directed by Roisin McCay-Hine
Review by Eve Nugent
In the small and intimate venue of Lauriston Hall, Cold, Dark Matters ominously takes the audience by the hand, and leads them to dark, rural Cornwall in this chilling one-man show. Staged in traverse, whereby the audience sits face-to-face, there is a lingering sense of being observed, heightening the palpable tension. Writer and performer Jack Brownridge-Kelly is exceptionally effortless and controlled, as he guides us through this complex story that explores themes of isolation and the need to conform.
The show opens with Jack, a witty and likeable narrator, giving a brief introduction to the show: over the next hour, he will recount the mysterious story of Colin, a man he claims to know personally who has recently moved to the remote countryside of Cornwall. Jack proceeds to slip flawlessly into Colin’s persona, who we watch become increasingly obsessed with a crumbling shed on his property, creatively represented by a lone hanging window from the stage’s ceiling. Colin soon encounters Jago, a local old man; Brownridge-Kelly deftly distinguishes between the two with nuance and subtle humour. Jago speaks cryptically about blowing up the shed, a comment which plants a dangerous seed in the mind of vulnerable Colin, who spirals, gripped with obsession, and is drawn towards an unsettling fate.
The show manages to swim in and out of its own story, switching fluidly between Jack’s objective narration, and his portrayal of Colin – Brownridge-Kelly’s masterful storytelling keeps the audience hanging on every word. One fellow audience member commented that they were left, “confused, uneasy and unsettled in the best way”, a testament to the show’s ability to grip and disorient in equal measure.
Above all, under Roisin McCay-Hine’s precise and imaginative direction, the piece explores the psychological toll of loneliness and the piercing need to belong, blending sharp wit with an undercurrent of menace. Clever writing and unexpected twists elevate the production further, making it truly outstanding.
Truly Outstanding
Cold, Dakr Matters runs at C Arts – C aurora
Running time: Sixty minutes without interval
Review by Eve Nugent (contact@corrblimey.uk)
An undergraduate French student at the University of Edinburgh, Eve has a diverse interest in theatre and performance. Her primary devotion is acting, predominantly at Bedlam Theatre with her fellow students, but also with French group ‘Les Escogriffes’ who perform annually at the French Institute of Scotland.
Her creative attention stretches also to classical music, as she enjoys playing the flute, piano and guitar. She thus looks forward to watching whatever the Fringe has to offer, irrespective of genre!
