Review: PLAYER at Riverside Studios

Let’s start with the positives — Lyon’s gift and confidence with words means that the show’s script is sprightly and original. The story follows Lyon’s semi-autobiographical protagonist from the first spark of his thespian ambition, through drama school, and on to…not exactly professional glory, but middling success in the world of theatre. Lyon narrates this in verse which sounds Shakespearian while also referencing pop culture and rhyming slang. Although it takes a few minutes to tune into this style, the overall effect is funny and unique.

Ola Forman, Lyon’s co-star, demonstrates her skill at accents through her role playing a variety of characters. Although Forman gives a good performance, it is this range of characters which let Player down. They’re caricatures: materialistic Essex girl, strict posh headmistress, irritating American ingenue. Given Lyon’s use of his own London dialect and his detailed verbal description of elements of his working-class life, his depiction of the protagonist’s mother as a stereotypically careless, alcoholic working-class mother, was an uninspired punch-down. Even if based in reality, it was still disappointingly mocking. Likewise, much of the plot sees Lyon’s character falling in immediate lust with a woman who crosses his path, only for her to be too stuck-up for him in some way or other. It’s repetitive, and datedly sexist.

Player benefits from swerving telling a rags-to-riches tale which ends with Lyon’s character finding eternal fame and fortune. However, the concept of any plot for the show drifts off mid-way through, making it become more of a collection of vignettes which, while amusing, lead to no overall point. What was the audience meant to take away from Player? That acting is a difficult but noble profession? That It’s easier for private school kids to pursue creative careers? That the Edinburgh festival is full of overly-keen students? Hardly revelatory or groundbreaking stuff!

Sometimes Player hints at the notion that everyone should chase their dreams, though the show also contains a long monologue essentially of Lyon sneering at 9-5 office workers and their boring, pointless corporate lives. Player has plenty of heart, but Lyon exhibits inconsistency when allotting individuals and groups with his own empathy and understanding.

Ultimately, it’s unclear who Player is aimed at. Actors (or wannabe actors)? Their families and friends? Theatregoers arriving at Riverside Studios are in for an evening which has creativity and humour, but with a hefty serving of aimlessness, repetition and unnecessary scorn.

Runs just over an hour straight through, and continues until 31st May.