Paper Minimize, Park Theatre June 2023 l-r: Callum Mardy and Joe Bollard. Photograph credit score: Stefan Hanegraaf

Andrew Rosendorf’s play Paper Minimize is about an American soldier Kyle (Callum Mardy), on deployment in Afghanistan who’s homosexual and attempting to maintain {that a} secret.

An IED places a sudden finish to his lively service and profession, and we then see him coming to phrases with that, his life-changing accidents and his sexuality.

The narrative initially flicks backwards and forwards between his time in Afghanistan and life afterwards. It’s kind of gradual to start out, drip-feeding particulars of Kyle’s previous, his relationship along with his brother Jack (Joe Bollard), his late army-vet father and his creating friendship with fellow soldier Chuck (Prince Kundai).

It picks up tempo as extra is revealed about his previous actions and experiences, including context and further weight to the challenges he faces as soon as exterior the military.

Gentle aid comes within the type of dorky Harry (Tobie Donovan), who was at college with Kyle and nonetheless harbours a crush on him. Harry tends to place his foot in his mouth, blundering round verbally with amusing penalties.

It is a play about accepting and acceptance. It explores the sense of self and function when identification is tied up with a now-ended profession and hidden sexuality.

Pacing points apart the solid is nice throughout, drawing out the humour in addition to some shifting moments. I am giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and half.

Paper Minimize, Park Theatre

Written by Andrew Rosendorf

Directed by Scott Hurran

Starring: Callum Mardy, Prince Kundai, Joe Bollard and Tobie Donovan

Operating time: 90 minutes with out an interval

Reserving till 1 July; for extra info and to purchase tickets, go to the Park Theatre web site.

Lately reviewed:

All Of It, Royal Courtroom ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half reserving till 17 June

Re-Member Me, Hampstead Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️ reserving till 24 June

The Motive and the Cue, Nationwide Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reserving till 16 July

A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reserving till 16 June, it then transfers to the Savoy Theatre for five weeks.