Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage is a verbatim play about alienation, communicated through Brechtian devices of alienation (or distancing), such as direct address to the audience. It is a co-production between National Theatre of Wales and Out of Joint, a company that, under the directorship of veteran Max Stafford-Clark, aims to develop “entertaining theatre that broadens horizons and investigates our times”. Here, it does just that.
Writer Robin Soans compares and contrasts two situations: that of the much-capped Welsh rugby union player, Gareth “Alfie” Thomas, who is hiding the fact he is gay from family, friends, fellow players and fans, and that of two teenage girls in Thomas’ hometown, Bridgend, who are hiding experiences of personal trauma. A dynamic six-strong cast shares the role of Alfie; action flows fluidly across time and space. The way the characters work through the tough decisions necessary to open up their engagement with the world illumines our general experience.
• Until 7 March. Venue: Sherman Cymru, Cardiff, then touring
