This is a dark and fascinating play based around one of the hottest issues- the ever spiralling numbers of youth unemployment.
The play revolves around two men, one volunteering, the other forced to join at a work scheme they work together to clean out the local duck pond. Dean Ashton and Thomas Morrison both excellently bring to life the characters of R, an aggressive, beer swilling mans man and K who in turn is a quiet and awkward with a passion for being a DJ. The two slowly befriend one another before things become much, much darker as R, angry, lost and alone forces his way into K’s world where he bullies and manipulates his friend.
This is a dark comedy that explores the notion of masculinity in modern man. Both characters as they become locked in a power game is an intriguing and compelling watch. Made all the more effective by the little drips of information about the two men that forces you to speculate and ponder over the events that have brought them to this point.
Wonderfully written, it manages to be both jet black and yet hold some great funny moments, like a fantastic, heated argument over penguins. Made all the better by two accomplished actors who do a great job of making these characters feel totally real.
As K slowly begins to fight back, the tension slowly builds and it really feels like it is heading towards a jaw dropping climax. Sadly, the only shock is the fairly mundane finale. A pity as this is a smart, subtle and intelligent look at two men, who could be any one of the 2.5 million unemployed in Britian today.
3/5 
Martin Miller
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