Dominic Thompson makes the most of Jane Upton’s script and delves into the depths of the subject of her monologue.
In the course of a tough upbringing Mark has made the odd error of judgement and even done a short spell in jail, yet he still doesn’t come across as a bad lad. He has no father and has a dysfunctional mother, while his relationship with his grandfather is from time to time quite positive. Under different circumstances he might have been well-balanced but instead he is overwhelmed with angst, anger, anguish and aggression.
These emotions are given physical expression in his frantic pacing up and down and explosive outbursts, visible signs of the frustration he feels with his lot in life. Then occasionally he wears his heart on his sleeve and in moments of tenderness and quiet reflection another Mark is revealed. He’s a young lad who should have at least a half decent relationship with someone, but his current existence seems to rule that out. He also contemplates committing an appalling act, but you’ll need to see the show to find out about that.
Dominic Thompson makes the most of Jane Upton’s script and delves into the depths of the subject of her monologue. He gives a high-energy portrayal which at times could probably be reined in to make greater use of his naturally soft Midlands accent. His face is expressive of the trials that Mark has been through and his eyes penetrate to the back of the theatre. He is physically fit and uses his body to further accentuate the intensity of the text.
Along with director Ian Robert Moule, Dominic is co-founder of Gritty Theatre – a young company dedicated to 21st century works rooted in the concerns of local companies. Still a student, Dominic is clearly a rising talent who should have a very successful career ahead of him and is worth following.
