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Have Faith, Mercury Theatre Studio, Colchester, Saturday February 8!

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Have Faith, Mercury Theatre Studio, Colchester, Saturday February 8!

Local actor David Garlick has performed on some of the most prestigious West End and Broadway stages, but it’s Colchester’s Mercury Theatre Studio that will now play host to his latest theatrical endeavour, Have Faith.

Although only recently obtaining a degree in drama, David has strived to take the term ‘finger in many pies’ to a whole new level since graduating. Currently in the middle of writing both a new album for his band, The Lowriders, and a film with local movie-maker Ronnie Thompson, it’s hard to envisage where he finds the time to write and rehearse a play. But David insists his dialect-driven creation will be more than ready by the time it’s due to grace the Mercury’s Studio on Saturday, February 8. ‘‘It’s been difficult finding the time and space to rehearse but the play is starting to take shape and we’re looking forward to performing it,’’ he explains.

David also believes that because he has written the piece and also plays lead character Michael, he is twice as inclined to ensure it’s a success at the Mercury Theatre.

Directed by drama teacher Sarah Cooper, the play is inspired by two true stories and unravels over the course of an episodic 48-hour period: Subsequently caused by helplessly witnessing the murder of his wife, Faith (played by Anouska Jarritt), during a burglary two years prior, the audience is brought in just as the extent of Michael’s paranoia-fuelled demise slowly begins to climax. Therein lies a dramatic Shakespearean twist, and just like the famous bard, Garlick has a taste for tragedy. “Tragedy interests me, so I wanted to create a piece that shocked and impacted the audience,” he says. “If you’re going to be brutal, then be extremely brutal – although that makes it an emotionally-difficult play to do.’

The play became a family affair with David’s daughter, Molly, being cast in the supporting role. ‘‘Playing Michael’s daughter, Tiffany, was a little bizarre as I had never really acted with my dad before, but it did mean there was an instant chemistry, which made everything easier,’’ she explains.

This Saturday’s Voices In The Dark programme, a collaboration between the theatre and performance group Renegade, will showcase four other pieces of original theatre alongside Have Faith – something David believes more people should be involved in. ‘‘I definitely think more local creative people should produce plays. But where would they put them on? That’s why Gari Jones’s Renegade offers that opportunity – it gives new writing a forum.’’

Voices In The Dark takes place Saturday, February 8 at the Mercury Theatre Studio in Colchester from 9.30pm. Tickets are £5.

Words: George Henry King

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