Our Big Land (tour – Ipswich)

Our Big Land is a compact production both in staging and cast. In Dan Allum's play, we are concerned with a mother and son gypsy family – Oceania (Robyn Moore) and Roman (Samuel Edward-Cook). Then there's Sophie (Scarlett Brookes), a local girl who is part of mainstream society.

The story concerns Sophie's eventual marriage to Roman, which is sanctioned by Oceania since Oceania feels that Sophie has a "gypsy heart". But Sophie eventually leaves as the gypsy lifestyle puts too great a strain on her. This is told at a compelling pace and is a very accomplished ensemble piece with all aspects of the play fitting well together.

It is a very visceral and atmospheric production, helped by the fact that the atmosphere is maintained by the interval-less, one-act 60-minute format. Combined with such touches as mud covering the stage and the effective lighting and sound design, the audience is encompassed in the different world that Oceania and Roman live in – one where brick houses are seen as some kind of prison.

This production is not just pure theatre. There is an intelligent blend of ballet and song which, along with the Romany music, take us into the mystical world that surrounds this people.

The multimedia approach is done subtly and not self-consciously and and supports Allum's coherent and entertaining script, which is delivered with finesse by Moore, Edward-Cook and Brookes. Brookes is a special treat, as she develops from mischievous schoolgirl to a determined campaigner in her role.

The real strength of this piece lies in the immersion of the audience in the story and the development of character, and also perhaps the message it is trying to trying to convey. I believe how much an audience enjoys this production depends on how open its collective mind is to the subject matter of the Romany lifestyle.

I watched this production initially with memories of the "reality" television shows I mentioned at the beginning of this review, but the play grabbed my attention and opened my mind to the loss that characters like Oceania might feel as the world moves on. In essence, this is a very intelligent and competent production that achieves its aim of "get(ting) the Romany voice out there".

Our Big Land premiered at the New Wolsey Studio, Ipswich and then tours nationally,