Pass (24:7 Festival, Manchester)

Naomi Sumner's Pass is well written and grasps the basic necessity of having a clear structure. The three characters are equally well illustrated.

Fifteen year-old Jake (Ethan Rogers) is ambitious and wants to go to University. His girlfriend, Maddie, is vindictive, manipulative and possessive though we suspect her wish to be married is more about a glamorous wedding than a lifetime’s commitment.

Natasha Davidson plays Maddie forcibly. It is the above qualities that ultimately cause the downfall of the other two characters.

Louise, the teacher, of whom Maddie is jealous, counsels and encourages Jake. There is a frisson of attraction between them during their private tutorial sessions. Both Johanna Hinton‘s Louise and Ethan Rogers‘ Jake capture this well.

The actors are true to their characters and there are lots of interesting duologues between the young couple and between each of them with their teacher.One amusing example is the scene where Maddie, dressed in a silk dressing gown, attempts to seduce Jake.

This play holds your attention throughout and is a credit to all involved. Although, as mentioned above, the play has a definitive ending, we are left wondering what grades Jake eventually gets in his examinations.