THE WORLD OUTSIDE, FOREST FORGE THEATRE COMPANY

WHEN Harry returns to his New Forest family home with newwife Dolores after 20 years living in America, he seems surprised at his cold homecoming from son Mark and the arrival at the house of his heavily pregnant daughter Sarah.

That there be skeletons in this family’s cupboard is obvious from the play’s outset so what brings Hal back from the States to his roots with his newly found idealism for New Forest Independence?

David Lane’s new play specially written for Forest Forge is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, though in Kirstie Davis’ production she ensures the cleverly infused moments of black humour lighten the mood somewhat.

Archaeologists have been carbon dating the rural NewForest village where the play is set and it is a celebration of their findings that is the backdrop to the intense family drama being played out.

All four actors shine in their various roles.

Andrew Wheaton gives a powerful performance as returnee Harry and the play has a great opening scene as he spouts his ideology on the future of the New Forest to anyone who will listen. Doubling up as villager Brian, the American accent is ditched with ease and he gives a consummate performance.

Michael Cole is superb as the seemingly emotionless and damaged Mark. Not a flicker appeared on his still pallor as Sarah sticks a Mr Happy plaster on his face. Verity Hewlett has the seemingly impossible task of being full-termpregnant as Sarah in one scene and villager Marge in another and Isobel Arnett as the American Dolores and villager June also gave good work.

The New Forest with its myths and traditions is central to this play though I would have loved to have had a glimpse here of the deer with the amber eyes that was so central in Born.

BORN, FOREST FORGE YOUTH THEATRE

SEEING these two plays by David Lane consecutively is a bit of an epic, but in some ways it is the youthful exuberance of the youth theatre that brings home many of the issues in The World Outside.

Co-directed by Lucy Phillips and David Haworth, Born at just under sixty minutes, is pure delight from start to finish, with a strong ensemble cast. The New Forest is brought to life when the incredibly lifelike deer puppet, controlled by two of the young actors, sniffs the air, searches for food and then cuts to the chase when someone comes near. It is a brilliant prop, expertly handled and designed.

The young people in Born see the village’s anniversary celebrations in a different light.

They want their own party and head for a rave deep in the Forest. Here imaginations let rip, and deep rooted fears are explored, but each and every one of them and especially the traumatised Scarlett (a mature performance by Giverny Helliar), learn a little bit of self knowledge.

Anne Morris