Backwash Road: The Tale of Jimmy the Squid

The Backwash Road of this latest Bedlam Theatre production is a run-down and dangerous place for the unwary traveller to wander through. Into this neglected quarter stumbles Jimmy (Neville Galvin), a boy under constant threat from assassins, geriatric mafia, power-hungry Health & Safety officials, beggars, detectives and of course, squid. He seeks anonymity and the affections of a beautiful woman, but naturally such things are not easy to come by.

Backwash Road evokes plenty of trademark Bedlam surrealism, with its improbable plot twists, bizarre and energetic dialogue and eccentric characters; these have become the hallmarks of the new writing produced by this augur of the theatre world, and the focus of its enduring popularity. However, the play's abstract nature can—at times—seem its undoing as scenes become disparate statements rather than continuations of a coherent plot. Indeed, characters such as the pathetic petty thief, Manfred (David K Barnes) and the loquacious thug/rapper, Sweet Bread (Dale Cooper)—despite the amusing interludes they can at times provide—serve only to slow the pace of a tenuous plot.

It is the central storyline concerning Jimmy and hard-headed love interest Carmen (Suzie Preece) that is perhaps the least engaging part of the play. Their largely strainght performances are overshadowed by characters such as the two acutely observed beggars (Richard Dennis and Chris Johnson), whose constant grimy presence and brilliant sense of tone provide the production's funniest moments.

Nevertheless, it is a strong production with plenty to satisfy a jovial student audience.