THE LAST ROUTE (Compacts)*****

 

By Cal

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9tFeve8o2Y

Available until: Unknown

Here’s another brilliant play by Rick Allden. All his characters are very different, but he gets right into their heads and tells their stories in their words so well.

It’s a simple story, but it’s full of truth and humanity. There are a lot of plays about drama and stress and I enjoy those plays, but there is more to life than drama and stress and it’s important for plays to show that. It is very possible to write a good play without drama.

If you don’t believe me, watch The Last Route.

Alec is a bus driver. He’s been doing the same job for years and he’s watched some of his passengers grow up. But today is his very last day. He’s retiring.

This play tells the story of his last route and his last passengers. It’s a very moving story. It’s sad in some ways and happy in others. Pete Picton gives a very warm performance as Alec, who tells the story. He’s clearly a lovely man and although it’s a story, it still felt special to share his last route with him. Lovely direction from Kayleigh Adlam too. It’s been perfectly judged to provide hints of gentle humour without changing the general feel of the piece.

This whole series is highly recommended.