Web Of Deceit

In his program notes writer Adam J A Cass remarks this one-person show is based on “a boy who is out there somewhere”, the “out there” being cyber space. Though based on a true story, he says that this can only be his, the director’s (Yvonne Virslk) and the actor’s (Ash Flanders) version of events. No matter – what a version, and what incredible events.

Johnny is a bored, sad and lonely fourteen year old who lives with his dull, submissive mum and her abusive partner, Trevor. Like all such teenagers since time began he retreats to his bedroom at every opportunity, but unlike such teenagers up until a decade ago, the four walls of such bedrooms are not confining any more. The world is at the end of a keyboard and web cam.

Though he professes to be straight Johnny enjoys flirting with another, slightly older boy in a chat room, then realise that this other lad believes him to be a girl. Intrigued and turned on by Marky, Johnny doesn’t disabuse him, and instead gets Marky, who believes he is performing for a girl, to abuse himself on webcam. Johnny is instantly in love, but how to meet the love of his life?

It’s only giving away a little of the plot to tell you he does manage to meet him, posing as the “girl’s” step-brother., but to say any more would be to spoil the myriad of twists, turns, and surprises this hour long show provides.

The script is brilliant, combining youth-speak, web-speak and not a little lyricism. The direction is well paced, but the afternoon belongs to Flanders who is just astonishing. He started a bit fast, and was hard to understand at first (his accent seems to meander across hemisphere’s at times!) but once he is into his stride he is mesmeric, funny, heartbreaking and at times really frightening.

And I guess that’s really what this tale is about. The internet, the web, cyber space – they’re remarkable tools for work and pleasure. But Pandora’s box has been opened. It can never be closed. If a fourteen year old boy can cause the chain of events depicted in this play without leaving his bedroom, then the world is a much scarier place than it has ever been before.

[Robin T. Barton]