My Life as a Cowboy by Hugo Timbrell. Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common North Side, London until 08 September 2024.

3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.

“Charming and touching.”

Connor is 17, lives in Croydon with his mother, has a best friend, a Moslem girl with attitude called Zainab, and works as a pool attendant at the local leisure centre. Connor, charmingly played by Harry Evans, has dreams of escaping from life in Croydon and when Croydon People's Day holds a talent contest with the prize being taken on by an American agent he decides to enter. He likes line dancing and gets the boots from Zainab. He is not too extravagant in his wishes – getting a job in the back line of the chorus of a TV show as a dancer is as far as he goes. His fellow life guard, Michael, also has dreams – he has a guitar and has composed a song about life watching people going whatever they do in the pool. All three get together and that is about it.

Timbrell's play passes the time pleasantly enough but there is an awful lot of moving chairs and a bed, which turns into a stage once the duvets are removed, in Scott le Crass's production which starts to become tiring and – this is a regular moan – the diction of the three actors is at times far from perfect. It should not be impossible to hit the back wall of a small venue like this – as opposed to the gods of a traditonal theatre - but mumble they do. However the way Connor and Zainab face up to their lives – both are seeking freedom – and to the intrusion into a comfortable double act of the nervy Michael, who for a while takes over, much to her annoyance, is amusingly shown. Nuarath Tapader is a splendid girl with attitude and Callum Brownlie – that song is truly awful – strums at the guitar and makes clear he is not going to be Connor's boyfriend beautifully. There is a lovely moment when Connor makes clear he is not interested whereupon Michael gets less than pleased to discover he is not as irresistible as he thinks he is. He may not want it but not getting it is another matter. The result is touching, charming and heart warming as their dreams may not come not true but their lives get better. Everyone needs friends.

Cast

Harry Evans – Connor.

Nuarath Tapader – Zainab.

Callum Brownlie – Michael.

Creatives

Director – Scott Le Crass