Review: Full Circle

May 2 2008 by David Adams, Western Mail

Pontardawe Arts Centre

WHEN Hijinx – Wales’ long-standing theatre group which serves the whole community rather than just theatregoers – get it right they really can provide just about the most affecting audience experience you’re likely to find.

What other company can make you laugh and cry, often at the same time? And that’s without being sentimental or slapstick, but by being simply honest.

As readers will know, their latest show is based on the true story of Andrew Williams and his “circle” who supported him in his ambition to climb Everest – but Full Circle is more than a documentary about an amazing achievement.

Glenys Evans has taken the original inspiration and created an uplifting allegory of struggle and determination – and Gaynor Lougher’s new production of a play that was widely admired a few years ago in its original Hijinx presentation adds something very special by casting Gareth Clark as Andy, the boy with learning difficulties.

Clark is a familiar performer to those who have been privileged to see shows from Odyssey Theatre, Hijinx’s group that includes people with learning difficulties, and this appearance on the professional stage is itself a considerable climb of a mountain.

Ms Lougher’s neat idea is to have two Andys for the first part of the story, with Nick Wayland-Evans as the double of the young man who can only express his ambition by raising his arms and saying “Wow”. But once Andy gets to the Himalayas, Clark is on his own: it is his achievement, physical, mental and spiritual.

So this is no ordinary Hijinx show (though what is?) but a celebration of the power of theatre, at least the sort of theatre in which Hijinx excels: Full Circle is about achievement by being itself an achievement. While the personal struggle is the obvious narrative here, underneath is the real story, the story of the “circle”, the support we all need to climb our own particular mountain. At home it’s family and friends (and, for many, social workers), but Andy only gets to the top of the world with the help of the expedition leader and the sherpas as well as his own self-belief.

This is, incidentally, a production mainly for community audiences, especially those with learning difficulties and their carers.

But as with the best of Hijinx shows, it is actually simply good theatre that makes you suspend any vague notions of excellence and art.

For full tour dates, visit the website at www.hijinx.org.uk