Out West is a collection of three one actor plays by three renowned playwrights, linked by each play illustrating differing aspects of racism and alluding to the area where the Lyric Theatre is today. One is about a mixed race marriage, one about a black woman's fight for self esteem and one about a law student from overseas arriving in Britain in the reign of Queen Victoria.
David Jonsson has wonderfully expressive hands, his long fingers often outstretched to communicate. His enthusiasm when describing the dishes of food animatedly or his reflecting on his unexpected first journey in a limousine charm. There is humour too, he says, "I have a feeling she may die on my birthday," and gives us a wry look.
There are too few plays which mention the menopause. Have I lost my male readers at this point? Please stay. In Deborah Bruce's new play Raya, the central figure Alex (Claire Price) is 49 and has just attended a reunion at her university organised on Facebook. Thirty years on from their October start. She has gone specifically to meet Jason (Bo Poraj) with whom she had an affair when they were undergraduates.