In this story of a gay American soldier’s return from war, Kyle (played by Callum Mary), returns to the world he once inhabited albeit with a serious incident (leading to PTSD), a fatal blow to one’s confidence and a tragic repeated cycle of familial trauma. What Kyle refers to as ‘only a paper cut’. Or at least that’s what he wants his nearest and dearest to take from the awful attack, but the layers to this piece are like an onion: sadly, this onion has just the sole layer. Paper Cut is a robust attempt to explore the tolls of having taken up one’s duty to fight in a war, and the way former veterans (there is discussion on how one always is a soldier) look to create a new future with life-altering injuries.
It’s quite a let down for this piece, for the aim of its creatives falls flat on many occasions. From the initial promise of the minimalist set – wood set against the back wall, with twelve glowing lights dangling from the ceiling. The soundscape that I was so eager to see transposed as the piece moved on was sadly disappointing(the scenes with the Muslim prayer felt superficial, and bordered on the misunderstanding of the religion); ultimately, the entire plot felt weak, under-developed and jarred on several occasions.
The only redeeming feature is that this is a queer love story, which is told via the eyes of a disabled soldier. That was a refreshing insight, as was it to see the main protagonist portrayed by an actor who has a limbdifference.. However, even then, there was almost a propaganda-esque in its war-portrayal, it felt heavily one-sides and did make the feel piece which alienate to a British viewer. I’m sure I won’t have been the only one. The intentions is to interrogate what makes a loyal person: is it their ability to keep a secret? One that has made them repress their sexuality(even worse, caused them mental trauma)? Or perhaps it’s their serving to their home nation that bears them with the so-called ‘American dream’? It was like a baseball game, except nothing touched barely the first base.
At times, the direction felt so incredibly bizarre – with actors on stage whilst drama unfolds- and the oddity of having a bench that becomes a costume storage unit. There was a severe lack of excitement as the drama unfolds, and lots of strong emotions that built up to no sense of relief nor moving dialogue. The silences were also quite excruciatingly long, and it felt like it was also due a cut of at least ten minutes to keep it tight.
To conclude, this was a complex (and layered) story that could have worked in an effective manner, given it had a huge re-focus and a tightening of the director’s vision; for me, Paper Cut was a cut too many for me to endure and enjoy.
** Note: This was a gifted (#ad) free ticket, in exchange for an honest review. The views expressed in this blog are of the reviewer, and reviewer alone. **
Until 1 July 2023
https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/paper-cut/
Prices:
Previews: £12
Standard performances: £12 – £20
Access: £9