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Note of Concern

 
Richard Beck Review by Richard Beck 4 Published: 15 Aug 2025 theSpace on the Mile Show Dates: 11 Aug 2025-16 Aug 2025

Fast Snail Productions, a new Scottish production company, make their Fringe debut with Note of Concern at theSpace on the Mile – an intriguing, dark drama packed with dry humour, wit and intelligence.

Superbly delivered with an air of Orton about it

A ten-year high school reunion is taking place in the main building. One former student decides to revisit his most memorable classroom, where he was taught by his least favourite teacher. One of his former mates, from whom he became estranged after a dispute over a girl, does the same. When the door handle comes off in his hand, they find themselves trapped. An air of nostalgia overtakes them and, as they begin to resurrect the past, some hard truths emerge that neither is prepared for.

Meanwhile, they start poking their noses where they don’t belong. Through mysterious clues left on the blackboard, they discover the combination to unlock the desk drawer, where they find old pink punishment slips that recall incidents from their schooldays. When they break into the store cupboard, a pungent odour is released and an unexpected twist takes the play to another level. Will the shared stress of resolving this situation reignite their friendship, or do old scars still run too deep?

Note of Concern is tightly written by, and stars, Fringe veterans Will Evans and Jordan Monks. They are an engaging duo and highly accomplished actors – the sort that inspire confidence and convince you you’re in safe hands. The script is focused, developing plot and characters at pace with no excess verbiage. Slickly directed by Stephanie Austin, it is superbly delivered with an air of Orton about it: bizarre events, strange circumstances, stilted conversation in awkward situations, dialogue that shifts from quick-witted to hesitant with the odd faux pas thrown in, well-timed pauses, an irreverent take on situations, and an element of detective work.

It all makes for a rewarding, action-packed 45 minutes.

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The Blurb:

When two childhood friends, distant strangers to each other now, find themselves trapped in the classroom of their least favourite teacher at a 10 year high school reunion, they can’t resist the urge to poke their noses where they don’t belong. Following clues left by their former teacher, they begin to unravel a life forgotten. A game of hide and seek, some horny classmates and some punishment exercises brings about nostalgia and some hard truths that neither was prepared for. Is this the rebirth of their friendship? Or are certain things better left in the past?