Review: Wolf, Camden Fringe 2022

The Cockpit

Review: Wolf, Camden Fringe 2022

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

Sharp and nuanced writing, with performances to match.

[You can read our interview with writer and performer Cameron Corcoran about this play here.]

Laurie (Lucy Ramsden) is packing for a holiday. She is taking her daughter, Lottie (Juliette Finn), to Cornwall and her husband from whom she is separated is going to join them. There is a knock at the door and Sam Gill (Cameron Corcoran), Lottie’s teacher, has stopped by to drop off a book Lottie left at school. Something isn’t quite right though; Sam isn’t leaving – something is wrong and he’s got something else to say, but he’s struggling to say it.

It’s uncomfortable sitting there, waiting for Sam to summon the courage to speak, knowing that everything will change. I must admit I took no notes during Wolf. I started a page for it while the house filled, but that page in my notebook is still blank. The tension and the atmosphere are immediately captivating, as the script, written by Corcoran, examines the harsh reality of domestic and sexual abuse. He does a particularly excellent job right away; Sam’s tension is palpable. It’s left to us to initially decide how much Laurie knows. Does she then pick a fight and accuse Sam to cover herself? Ramsden is also good, her character growing more confident as Laurie, feeling trapped and under attack, starts to fight back.

The writing is sharp and nuanced, with performances to match, building tension from the smallest details. Sam pauses for a second moment when Lottie suggests one of her friends wants to sleep with another teacher: was this jealousy? Neither adult gives much thought to Lottie. Each is wrapped up in their feelings and the effect that these events will have on them and their lives. They loudly proclaim their care for Lottie but it’s secondary to themselves and their own truth. Sam and Laurie are not the good guys in their stories, much as they might think or perhaps wish they are.

I saw Wolf on its first night at The Cockpit and the ending fell a little flat. I suspect there was a minor technical challenge. It felt like the play was over, but there was music that perhaps suggested a scene change or something further was to happen, and then a little confusion. The house lights came up and Corcoran who had moved offstage took an extra moment to arrive back, at which point the cast was already taking their bows. I only mention this to bear in mind, in case it was intended.

Before viewing this play, do make sure you read the trigger warnings for domestic and sexual abuse as Wolf does not shy aware from dealing with these topics. The production is short, originally advertised as 60 minutes, but the latest press release brings it down to 40 minutes and live I suspect it was around 35 minutes. There is a lot of characterisation and character development packed into this short, sharp timescale, and one particularly devastating moment towards the end. It’s an uncomfortable but impressive watch.

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Written by: Cameron Corcoran
Directed by: Naomi Wirthner
Produced by: Off Main Stage

Wolf played as part of Camden Fringe 2022 and has now completed its current run. More information about this and future shows can be found at Off Main Stage’s website here.