Fell – a true Cumbrian coming of age.

From not seeing any production in an age, to two shows in one week, something feels different in the air. As the cold, dark nights draw in, there seems to be nothing better than heading to one of the countless small theatres across the city and watching brand new shows come to life. The old cliche of magic rings true.

The Baron’s Court Theatre is one such venue that’s ideal for hunkering down and avoiding the inclement weather, and where I was invited to review ‘Fell’ by Chris Salt on Wednesday.

We descend into the theatre, and immediately meet Jake, played by Tom Claxton, before the first act begins. He is fidgeting with clothes around the stage, appearing to wash them in a stream before picking out dirt and hanging them to dry. Already, we have been transported swiftly to a location somewhere in the Cumbrian hills.

The staging is considered, with every item adding texture and depth, with lighting subtle and effective. And as the story unfolds, I enjoyed how the set evolved to help with the narrative. Boxes are rotated and fabric is moved, and coupled with a stellar cast, the audience is lost in the midst of Jake and Lyle’s world.

Lyle, played by Ned Cooper, enters after dialogue begins with him somewhere off-stage. As he does, the relationship between the two is stark. Here is Jake, who lives contently off the land, meeting a runaway boy of school-age, Lyle. The tension is palpable as the dynamic is established.

But often, with a story such as that of ‘Fell’, we might jump to conclusions about the characters in Salt’s play. There is chemistry between them that appears to be perhaps more than two strangers meeting, though this is swiftly dealt with in the first scene. It’s a theme that raises its head numerous times throughout and I liked that this was addressed early on in the script though, as it meant we can focus on the relationship proper rather than getting caught up in a ‘will they, won’t they’ internal monologue.

To achieve this relationship, and as the play progresses and intensifies, maintaining it at such a level speaks volumes to the acting of Cooper and Claxton. The dynamic between these two meant that for the duration, I was transfixed. Jake seems to have the upper-hand for most of the production, being a big brother helping Lyle come to terms with his situation, but even this shifts at points.

The story itself tackles what it means to be a teenage boy growing up in the Lake District. It mixes in comedy to this coming of age tale where neither character quite knows who they want to become. Cooper is a master as his character, Lyle, turns his nose up at a plate of fish offered by Jake, played by Claxton. Through small moments, we learn that both boys are escaping away from reality and it’s a joy to watch.

At every turn though, just as you think you know where this play is going, you’re knocked sideways. Roles change and dynamics shift as the harsh realities come to light. Throughout the journey, we’re teased about the destination and, like a mystery, I found myself trying to solve the story.

Yes, we can give a lot of praise to Cooper and Claxton, but as mentioned above, it was a joy to explore the entire production, directed by Janys Chambers and designed by Jane Linz Roberts. Small details such as a camping stove and clever props such as a bed which appeared out of nowhere.

I also particularly liked the attention to lighting. At one point, Jake and Lyle enter a tent-like space, and lights are so dim we feel enclosed in their world. Lyle complains about the lack of light, to which Jake turns on a camping torch and as he makes it brighter, the stage lights come up in time. At another, a flare is shot into the sky and again I adored how staging made it feel real.

This production – a 75-minute straight play in one act – is on tour until 29 October, with dates in lots of towns and cities across northern England. It is playing at Baron’s Court until 7 October and returning to London at the Arcola Theatre for one date on 29 October (which I am strongly trying to make work in my diary to attend). You can find out more and where to book tickets on the Edgeways Production website.