HAVING not previously been lucky enough to see the talented students of Spotlight UK in action, it was my very great pleasure to witness this fantastic evening of theatre in Basingstoke.

The National Theatre’s Connections project celebrates the talent of young theatre-makers and this year, 230 young companies are premiering ten new plays. It is wonderful that a local group is participating in such a prestigious programme.

Personally, I think Spotlight UK struck gold when they were tasked with presenting Dafydd James’ Heritage. This blackly comic tragedy was set in what was, I assumed, the Fatherland as we might have known it in our own land had Hitler succeeded.

Its genius was its searing focus on the bickering and the shifting power balance of a disparate group of teenagers, who were unwittingly imprisoned in a space under the guise of their preparing a performance for a May Day celebration.

The dialogue was ripe with wit, insults, emotion, bravado and a thousand other things that characterize the adolescent period.

And these potent lines were grabbed with both hands and performed with gusto by this talented group, who were represented in fine style thanks to some top-notch casting.

Director Matt Driscoll and his assistant directors Faye Cottrell and young performer Leo Holt clearly knew who and what they were working with, ensuring results which I do not think could have been bettered.

Connor Heath and Nathan Piper were on top form as the edgier bad guys, whilst Aiden West and Jerome Courtois had the tragic ‘joke’ roles and mined every moment brilliantly.

Theadora Shearing perfectly captured her character’s bossiness and desperate need to adhere to the rules whilst Tom Steel was tenacious and impressive as Douglas.

Hollie Parks was brave and conflicted as the put-upon Melony, whilst Aaran Fredriksen’s fine work included his securing of one huge laugh with his perfect delivery of a single, tiny line.

Afton Aitkenhead was brave and ballsy as the derided Cari-Ann, and Laura Barlow and Fiona Barlow were the essential calm in the face of the storm.

Danni Tocher and Chloe Tocher were off stage for most of the performance but contributed key roles, too. 

I came away incredibly impressed by the accomplishment of this group, who will be phenomenal ambassadors for Basingstoke when they journey to London’s Bush theatre as part of this project.