Harry at Ilkley Playhouse

RIGHT from the ‘get go’ these two young actors provide a masterclass in maintaining pace and energy.

Starting in their very first term at uni, roommates, Caitlin (Elizabeth Rudge) and Sophie (Lucy Carter) cannot believe their luck to have found each other.

They become best friends having found common ground in a love of crisp sandwiches and of the band One Direction and in particular, the ‘curly haired angel’ that is Harry Styles.

Their adoration of this band member becomes an obsession and whilst they see themselves not so much as ‘stalkers,’ but as highly skilled detectives, it is only when they finally see the band perform live and Caitlin declares unflinchingly that Harry was singing directly at her, do we begin to agree with Sophie’s assessment that their obsession has become unhealthy. A ‘red flag’ but what is it warning us of?

Throughout the play, the fourth wall is well and truly broken. From the moment the theatre opens, the girls invite the audience into their student accommodation and begin to tell them in comical, giddy and sometimes moving ways how their studies and friendship are developing.

It’s not all plain sailing and we see just how the high octane student lifestyle starts to give way to more complicated thoughts and feelings. The workload for these two relatively new actors is immense and yet they meet the challenge confidently and with great skill.

This thought provoking play invites those who see it to reflect upon their formative years as young adults. Some friendships endure and flourish over the years. Others are simply set aside and let go. Skilfully directed by Steve Mason, the girls take us on a journey which is entirely relatable for both its comedy and its often painful truths. Good job!

The photograph shows the actors of Harry – Lucy Carter (far left) and Elizabeth Rudge (right) with the playwright Caitlin McEwan (second right) and original director Ellie Gauge (second left) who came to see the play on Saturday night as it was the first time it has been performed by anyone other than them.

l Colin Waterman