Prince/David

Action Replay

Prince/David

by Yasir Senna

Razor Sharp Productions at the Golden Goose Theatre, Camberwell until 6^th July

Review by Heather Moulson

A lurid blood-red poster draws the audience into this great little theatre space on New Camberwell Road for the première of Prince/David.

The initial action is set in 1999, at a long-gone pub restaurant in Ealing, where ‘Robert’, posing as a hot-shot modelling scout, online endorsements not being so visible then, offers a lifeline to Amber Da Costa, a hopeful young model.  We know this will turn sinister very quickly.

Then, another drama starts with an old-school detective, DC Harewood being dismissive of the young PC Lisa Stecklen and her leads.  While an authentic newsreel plays behind them, he orders the new recruit to make the tea.

Going forward over twenty years, a now DS Stecklen watches another news broadcast about how a David Nicholls had been sentenced for the murder of a young girl.  Stecklen follows the courage of her convictions, remembering how quashed and patronised she was in ‘99, and now has chance to come into her own.  Convinced Nicholls was also Amber’s killer, she questions a prisoner serving a sentence in Newcastle.  Full of charm and confidence, Nicholls denies everything, smug in the knowledge that Amber’s body had not been found.

Bearing in mind, writer Yasir Senna had to step in as Robert/David at the last minute, due to the actor Simon Ryerson falling to illness, he gave a very smooth and natural performance, as a man loathsome yet charming.  Associate director Barbara Dunin stepped in for Kierath Jandoo, who had also succumbed to illness, and blends well with the team in the role of Tiffany.  From experience, a last-minute recasting is not easy.  Both of these substitute actors do a marvellous job. 

The story changes pace in the second act as Stecklen and her team speed up, determined to find Amber’s body, researching every development since the end of the last century until they finally hit pay dirt. 

Prince/David is an absorbing and well-written drama with likeable Helen Matthews as PC/DS Stecklen, who gives us just the right glimpse of personal trauma.  Christopher Poke as old school DC Harewood metamorphoses into present day DCI Morgan, but one feels the actor is more comfortable in the latter role.   DC Younis is played with passion by Nabhan Uddin, and Natasha Vassell conveys the right balance as an old friend, while officially carrying on as Commissioner Barkley. 

The vulnerable Amber and DC Natale Levy are doubled by Helena Heaven, who is very watchable but could use more projection in places.  DC Rufus Dennis played by Richard Houghton-Evans has a strong presence, likewise the earnest witness Michael, a character effectively conveyed by Ben Gad-Briggs. 

The stark setting and severe costumes, designed by Wendy Parry, are very apt for this text and Beckett Gray’s lighting design is effective in the limited space.

Sensitive and detailed direction by writer Yasir Senna makes for a memorable detective drama, while the poignant mention to the late actor McQueen Francis at the curtain call made this production complete.

Heather Moulson, June 2024

Photography courtesy of Razor Sharp Productions