Jane  Collins Adjudication Summary for 'A Steady Rain'

A Steady Rain by Keith Huff is a more recent play, a two hander notable for its staging on Broadway in 2009 starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig. From Broadway to Burgess Hill is no distance in terms of the quality of this production, directed by Sean Lippett-Fall for the Burgess Hill Theatre Club. The play is a duologue featuring two Chicago cops – it’s about male friendship and shifting power relations. For me it is also about people being taken over by events, in a violent world, they no longer understand – It is also about small kindnesses and the strangeness of passion. It was staged with the audience on three sides in what appeared to be a community hall on a small bare thrust stage with just two chairs. What was extraordinary about this production was the way Sean and his team produced a continuous downpour on the stage of ‘steady rain.’ I have to admit to begin with I thought this was ‘tricksey’ and was going to interfere with my absorption in the story and the acting. But as the play progressed and the performances got more intense – I’ll talk about the acting in a minute - I realised this was a master stroke of design. The rain became like another character, a constant irritant – racking up the tension and transforming the space. It was a scenographic coup de theatre and I congratulate the technical team for their achievement.  The Chicago cops, Joey played by Ben Pritchard and Denny played by Culann Smyth were accent pitch perfect and under the assured direction of Sean Lippett-Fall both gave truly outstanding performances. This was fine acting and they worked together with an intensity of engagement and belief that was truly moving. As I said at the time I cannot believe that Jackman and Craig – and I say this with some authority as I directed Daniel at Drama School – could have been more convincing in these roles. For a start they carry all the baggage of Hollywood stardom – whereas Ben and Culann just look like they could be Chicago cops. 

Report from the Brighton and Hove Independent

Burgess Hill Theatre Club

Burgess Hill Theatre Club also won two awards, including best technical achievement for the steady rain that fell throughout the play and almost became a third character in the production, A Steady Rain by Keith Huff.

Ben Pritchard and Culann Smith were jointly awarded the best actor award for their roles in this two-hander.

Jane spoke of the fine acting, referencing Daniel Craig, who she directed at drama school, and said how impressed she was by the continuous downpour of real rain.

She added: "I admit at first I thought it was a bit tricksy. I realised this was a master stroke of design. The rain became like another character, a constant irritant racking up the tension."

Read more at: https://www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-and-comedy/winners-revealed-in-the-brighton-and-hove-arts-council-drama-awards-2018-1-8729156