Mark Weinman dons his red cape again and takes the audience on an emotional journey at Southwark Playhouse in his role of Mark, aka Captain Amazing father to Emily, an inquisitive child who keeps him on his toes.

Weinman was Mark (Captain Amazing) in Newcastle and Edinburgh Fringe over ten years ago. Weinman works incredibly hard throughout the sixty five minute performance as he plays a multitude of characters besides Captain Amazing. The battle of words between Mark’s daughter Emily and Mark is scarily believable and I dare say most parents watching will see part of themselves in the dialogue. Especially when she is constantly asking ‘why’ to the point of irritation.

Weinman switches effectively between roles in a heartbeat, for example when he is dealing with Evil Man to an awkward B and Q customer! A couple of times the change takes place instantly making the audience jump with sudden bangs, which certainly keep you engaged with the storyline.

Everyone has their own narrative, behind every meeting there’s a superhero waiting to reveal themselves but rarely ever do. A superhero act can be saving the  day for someone in distress to simply making a cup of tea for someone whose straggling. Every act of kindness or a thoughtful act can “save” someone else’s day.

Director Clive Judd and Matthew Schmolle Productions bring Captain Amazing back to the stage to share his heartfelt and emotional journey with audiences once again.

The stark white patchwork set was designed by Georgia de Grey, where throughout the play the walls gradually have words and phrases added to them randomly in the form of scrawled projected writing in coloured graffiti style. An eye catching and effective design.

I do suggest taking some tissues just in case you are moved to tears, like some of the audience around me were. It is plays and performances like Captain Amazing which make me fall in love with Fringe Theatre over and over again.

For more information and booking tickets for Captain Amazing and future productions at Southwark Playhouse please use the link below.

Five Stars

Homepage

Image Ali Wright