As a father of two boys now 18 and 22 I understand only too well how my view of the world is very different to theirs. I know that this is the way it is meant to be, but it doesn’t change the fact that when you are older and wiser you will always attempt to impart your wisdom to the younger generation.
Tim Firth’s Sign of the Times brings to together Frank ( Robert Gill) a time served signage installer and Alan ( Thomas Pickles) who is gaining some work experience. Alan is the stereotypical hoody clad teenager, who is at times unaffected and oblivious to Frank’s words of wisdom, although, on occasions, Alan’s responses to Frank are thought provoking and insightful. In the usual Tim Firth way there are many amusing observations of human interaction that will make you laugh out loud (LOL).
In so many ways I could relate to Frank, who is always trying impart his worldly knowledge to Alan who is completed disaffected by Frank’s perpetually ranting. Aside from the signage work Frank is an aspiring novelist and Alan a naturally good artist. At the end of Act one it becomes apparent that their working lives are about to change as Alan’s work experience ends and Frank faces the prospect of redundancy.
In Act two, it is now five years from when Frank and Alan first met and in an ironic twist of fate roles are reversed as Alan is now a trainee manager at an electrical retailers and the long term unemployed Frank arrives at the store to commence work as a trainee under the guidance of Alan. The sales induction given by Alan to Frank and the emergency fire drill are two of the many amusing highlights. During Frank’s induction training, they start to form a closer bond which helps them both realise that they should be true to themselves and pursue their dreams.
Sign of the Times highlights the differences between the generations and the common journey that we all take in pursuing our dreams. Overall an amusing play that had the theatre laughing out loud (LOL)….
As long as there is a Forshaws on this site, Frank Tollitt will be Head of Installation. And so it proves for Frank, electrical engineer of thirty-five years and enthusiastic writer of not-very-good spy fiction. Charged with fitting a giant neon sign in view of a newly-opened retail park, Frank must contend with moody sixteen-year-old Alan, on work experience with the company because he was too slow to apply for Emmerdale. The middle-aged, slightly-pedantic jobsworth and the young aspiring musician are from two very different worlds, and each has a thing or two to learn from the other. But times are changing for Frank and Alan, and they wont see each other again for five years. What will become of their hopes and dreams?
Sign of the Times is a comedy about life, ambition and missed opportunity. There are few, if any, belly laughs in the play, but it is not that sort of humour: this is a touching story replete with affectionate chuckles. Franks back-in-my-day attitude and dry Yorkshire wit and the teenage apathy of Alan are portrayed to a T by Robert Gill and Thomas Pickles, and as their characters gradually reveal more depth we grow quite fond of both of them. With an interesting set and relatable situations, it is easy to engage with the performance. Although the second half devolves somewhat into farce, relying on one or two ludicrous predicaments it could have gotten by without, overall the play shines with what it does well: genuine, believable characters, bittersweet themes and gentle comedy.
Mandy Muhs and Jonathan Woolgar, undergraduates at University Campus Suffolk
From the creator of Calendar Girls, Tim Firth has written a play about a boy learning about life from a man teaching about life. The play covers the issues faced in everyday life by two people. Frank, who is a middle-aged man that puts up signs for his job. He is accompanied by a teenage boy in his work experience.
The first set was an industrial style grey building; set 60ft up from the ground. With a hook, window and slide door with curtains. To the left is a ladder which has the rail where you hang the signs up.The set is simple, yet effective as it shows the accurately captures this style of work.
The second set was an office with a light up sign outside. It is the same style window as the other one with the same blinds. It has a desk with stationary on. In the corner are tons of boxes full of what the company sells.
The lighting was smooth and orange at the start, which can symbolise dawn, the start of the day, and it was also orange at the end, symbolising dusk. There was very little movement in the play. The actors either left the stage or climbed up ladders or onto a balcony. Even though there was very little movement, the play was even still engaging. The background noise cars travelling and the wind gave the play a sense of realness.
There was a lot of basic humour in the play that most people are able to understand. Mostly it was how old people mock young people, and how young people mock old people. Personally, I thought this play was very warming and easy to relate to. The play had an amazing story line which is made for everyone. I would recommend it to the ages 13+.
By Fraser Dodds, pupil at East Bergholt High School
