The Stall by Jack Twelvetree is an abstract show that uses a childhood memory of flying as an extended metaphor to explore grief, loss, regret and mental health.
Twelvetree is a very talented storyteller
There are two ongoing plot lines in this show that are woven together into a non-linear structure. One is a glimpse into the past, detailing the day Twelvetree turned 16 and his dad took him flying. The second plot line takes plays nine years later, and the consequences of the change in relationship between father and son.
Twelvetree paints watercolour pictures through his words, really showcasing his abilities as a performer and writer, creating a show about grief and loss that repeats motifs from the natural world, which does help us understand what Twelvetree is trying to say. He has a lot of command over his voice and actions, and he performs The Stall with sheer intensity. He mixes a kind of stream of consciousness with carefully crafted metaphors about the natural world that clearly communicates the overall purpose of the show and stays with us beyond the performance itself. Twelvetree is a very talented storyteller, exemplified in the language and techniques that he uses, as well as the way that he is able to completely change the mood within the theatre and tell his stories in such a way that evokes a lot of pathos and empathy.
From Twelvetree’s performance and the level of intent throughout The Stall, it is very clear that this show is something very special.
