Robert Boulton, Henry Davis and Louise Hoare in Snowflakes, Park Theatre, April 2023 (c) Jennifer Evans

Robert Boulton’s play Snowflakes takes cancel tradition to the intense. A start-up enterprise metes out ‘justice’ for offences and offending on social media. Reside streamed, the ‘defendant’ is given an opportunity to place their case and the viewers votes on whether or not they can stroll or are killed on digicam.

The ‘hitman/hitwoman’ determine on the model of loss of life. Sure, it’s darkish.

Waking up in a resort room having spent the evening with a girl that is not his spouse, Tony (Henry Davis) is ambushed and drugged by Marcus (performed by Boulton) and Sarah (Louise Hoare).

The previous is an previous hand at this ‘work’ and relishes it. Sarah is on her first job and desires to do every part by the e-book, however that appears to incorporate riling Marcus by accusing him of disliking ladies which had me leaping forward of the story.

Establishing the tools whereas discussing the job, their route into it and the professionals and cons turns into somewhat an extended preamble to the precise ‘trial’. It stretches the strain of the primary half slightly too skinny.

However when Tony is acutely aware, and occasions really kick off, it’s not essentially the most enjoyable watch having occasions unfold in such shut proximity (that is within the Park’s studio theatre).

Having an unseen digital viewers voting on the ‘defendant’s’ destiny is an attention-grabbing thought. Keyboard trolling is taken to the intense; it highlights the convenience with which individuals can separate themselves from the true affect of their actions if seen by way of a display screen.

And our two assassins perform the viewers’s will; it is a job like a decide handing down the outcomes of a jury trial.

Robert Boulton, Henry Davis and Louise Hoare in Snowflakes, Park Theatre, April 2023 (c) Jennifer Evans

However I’ve questions. Is that this a play in regards to the simply offended, because the title suggests or cancel tradition or meting out justice to those that appear to have acquired away with misdemeanours?

Tony has written a e-book known as Snowflakes but additionally had a relationship with a girl with the suggestion of sexual assault.

Two very various things, however is the purpose that it does not matter when the mob’s blood is up?

And the sensible aspect of my mind could not at all times droop disbelief. If that is all taking place in a resort room (that conveniently has a CCTV digicam linked to HQ), why is nobody disturbed by the noise?

What in regards to the filming – certainly torturing and murdering individuals and stay streaming it will not go unnoticed?

The world outdoors the room stays slightly too mysterious.

I feel Snowflakes touches on attention-grabbing subjects, however I discovered myself extra continuously scuffling with the assemble somewhat than the ‘debate’ it appears supposed to impress. I am giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Snowflakes, Park Theatre

Written by Robert Boulton

Directed by Michael Cottrell

Operating time: 1 hour 55 minutes, together with an interval.

Reserving till 6 Might for extra data and tickets, go to the Park Theatre web site

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