Review: Journos, theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall (Venue 53)

By Sue Wilson
Published on 23/08/2012 15:37

Depicting five male journalists, including the editor and a student intern, in the newsroom of a small-town daily paper, Adam Donaldson’s play, premiered here by the Newcastle-based TTMOOTV company, attempts a David Mamet-ish distillation and critique of masculine language and relationships, the irony being that none of these professional communicators can talk to each other about anything, unless heavily shielded by sarcasm, jeering, swearing and/or casual misogyny.

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It’s a strong enough premise, matched in parts by the writing, but let down by a dearth of dramatic incident and largely flaccid, thinly drawn performances.

Until 25 August. Today 3:05pm.