Angie Johnson is impressed by some committed performances in North Wall’s newest production

North Wall Arts Centre has completely transformed its theatre space for its new production, Fast Track. The central area has been fashioned into an urban park and is surrounded on two sides by park benches and faux grass for the audience to sit on. Also, around the rear of the seats is a running/cycle track and as the action unfolded in this high energy, and powerful piece the inspired staging drew us into the play as if we were in the park ourselves. Hats off to designer Alex Berry and his team.

Fast Track was developed from work done in the North Wall outreach programme, which brought together writer Catriona Kerridge and director Lucy Maycock. It is a contemporary play focusing on the impact of the economic recession on young people. It’s very funny at times but the dark side of this story lurks very near to the surface throughout.

Six young actors play the characters whose lives collide in the park on one fateful day. Two young girls, feisty Lucia (Fumilayo Brown) and the hilarious Elaina (Emma Dennis-Edwards), are hanging out — scrimping enough money together to buy some drink (mouthwash with alcoholic content is their choice de jour). Fouteen-year-old Sax is also there giving people rides in a shopping trolley for money and looking for dropped change — while at home his not much older brother/carer is being besieged by bailiffs. Jogger Anna, Alisa Joy, a nanny on less than the minimum wage meets Josh (Matthew Milner), a disgraced church accountant with whom she discovers a mutual desire to disappear in plain sight. This promising young cast give strong and committed performances throughout, and capture the essence of this well-written script.

This impactful show is also very physical and visually innovative and the cast and creative team have devised some outstanding moments of theatricality. I was on the edge of my park bench seat throughout!