Summer of Harold is produced by Ensemble Theatre and is part of the House of Oz offering, so you can guarantee it will be quality. This trio of short stories from the pen of Hilary Bell, an award-winning writer, is tightly crafted and makes for a very enjoyable hour and a half.
The three pieces are all linked through memory and the act of ‘letting go’ of that memory, and they are superbly acted by Berynn Schwerdt and Lucia Mastrantone. An hour and a half at the Fringe is longer than average, but as we get a different story every half hour, our attention never wavers.
The first story in Summer of Harold is introduced through boxes of memories, as Janet, played by Lucia Mastrantone, is packing up to leave, picking up different objects with beautifully pitched sound cues fading in and out. It’s a delightful story, and being given the inside take on life as Harold Pinter’s temporary housekeeper, with John Gielgud and Tom Stoppard popping up for a cameo, is catnip for us theatre buffs. The second tale involves such levels of bitterness and revenge not so sweetly taken, that we all recoil inwardly at the conclusion. Gareth is played with resentful brilliance by Berynn Schwerdt. The last tale, featuring both actors, is a little more conventional, but again captures us with its truthfully played-out issues, and concludes with a rather lovely backdrop of stars.
Director Damien Ryan brings out every nuance possible, using the bare stage and minimal props to world-build in a short space of time. We believe in these characters and their dilemmas, and that’s a testament to the skill of the writing and the charismatic performances. Perhaps these vignettes are just too short, and possibly a longer story might be more satisfying, but it’s a pleasant change from most Fringe offerings.
There is nothing groundbreaking about Summer of Harold; it’s not ‘issue-led’ or trying to change the world. It’s simply 90 minutes of skilful acting and genuine human stories. The House of Oz knows how to pick a great production, and the joy of the Fringe is taking a punt on something from halfway around the world and thoroughly enjoying every minute.
