Fleeto

Paddy Cunneen's Fleeto is a bold statement on Britain's current 'knife culture' that successfully mixes Glaswegian street life with Greek drama. It's an intense 60 minutes that proves difficult to shake.

The production makes a brave choice in that none of the knife attack victims are ever onstage. Instead, the play follows the lives of a vengeful gang leader, a grieving mother, a young man, Mackie, who is a friend of a recent victim and a seasoned policeman who has seen his fair share of violence and knows what to expect.

By focusing on the people peripherally involved rather than the actual victims, the production is able to emphasise the concept of loss, resulting in a far more poignant social statement. This is strengthened by the characters, all of whom are caught in furies and grief. Most make choices that one wouldn't expect of their characters, making them not only more interesting but all the more believable.

Jordan McCurrach, who plays Mackie, effectively balances sympathy with rage, creating a character that is understandable and, at times, revolting. Equally strong is Stewart Porter, whose role as the policeman drives the play with humanity and insight. Neil Leiper, who plays sociopath Kenzie, and Alison Peebles, playing the mother, both give memorable performances in their supporting roles. This is a strong ensemble in which no performance overshadows the others.

What does stick out is Cunneen's script, which takes classic Greek-drama concepts and successfully places them in modern Glasgow. The street dialogue, filled with slang, profanity and anger, is poetically structured, sounding both harsh and beautiful at once. Also effective is the use of the Policeman, who not only plays an important part in the story but serves in other roles: as a chorus who speaks for the community and as the tormented inner voice of Mackie. These fresh choices make the production both realistic and highly stylised, mostly at the same time.

It may have a short running time, but Fleeto has a great deal to say. It is a gripping production filled with interesting theatrics and a strong cast. It may also make one look at the so-called 'youth problem' Britain is currently facing in a new light.