Daytona - Park Theatre

A friend of mine insisted I should go to the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park <http://parktheatre.co.uk/> as she went to see something there and was very impressed by a new venue in north London.  She was right, it is a lovely space and it has only been open since May this year. 

The main auditorium - Park 200 - is an intimate space, which is perfect for Oliver Cotton's new work Daytona.  You are literally in the living room of the apartment in New York where all the action takes place.  Joe and Elli's happy little world is thrown into turmoil by the arrival of Joe's brother Billy after a 30 year absence.  What does it all mean?  What secrets will be revealed?  In all fairness I cannot say too much about what happens as it spoils the surprises and twists in the plot.

I can talk about the actors and their performances.  Harry Shearer as Joe is good but the night I was there had a few fluffed lines.  John Bowe as his brother Billy, is a volcanic presence - a bit too loud in the bits between Billy and Joe.  The strongest performance is that of Maureen Lipman.  It's a long time since I have seen her on stage and forgotten what a presence she has.  She is a fine actress with a great sense of timing.

Go!  Support this new theatre.  I will be going again!