Theatre

Innocent as a Child – Kaimera Productions

John Underwood | Tuesday 7 August, 2012 15:18

Etcetera Theatre

“They want me to be bad… maybe even evil. It sells better.” Kyle Tubridy would have you believe that he’s a victim of circumstance, abused by first his father and then a trusted therapist before being hounded by the press. But can his testimony be trusted? An ambitious – or foolhardy – psychologist decides to tackle the Tubridy case in Innocent as a Child, the spellbinding debut show from Kaimera Productions. Director (and psychology graduate) Geoffrey Williams’ compelling script soars above the usual standard of earnest theatrical psychobabble, combining Kyle’s own self-assessments with the thoughts of three successive therapists. The six-strong cast is reliable throughout, although Daniel Tremlett inevitably draws the spotlight as the unhappy Kyle – gaining and losing years in the blink of an eye, he’s as convincing as a boisterous child as he is years later in a procession of doctors’ offices. Finn Milton’s brooding, rigidly controlled Dr Nagel is the perfect foil to Tremlett’s tremendous physicality, whilst Amy Scott shines from among the supporting characters as the ageing therapist who realises only too late what Kyle’s allegations may have cost her. A sensitive and absorbing treatment of the hugely emotive subject of child abuse, this expertly crafted play may yet prove to be one of the highlights of this year’s Fringe.

Camden Fringe listing page

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