Soulskin by Red Ladder Theatre Company Monday 28th June 04 By Annie age 14

Chrissie, a sixteen year old teenager who is rather like a ten year-old, feels lonely and picked on by both her grandmother (Mary) and mother (Bernie). Because Bernie was only fifteen when she gave birth to Chrissie, the pressure and responsibility became too much for her and she became mixed up in the wrong crowd, consequently getting involved with drugs and alcohol, ending up in her getting thrown out of her mum's house.

Now thirty and still struggling to keep clean and away from drugs, her daughter has been brought up by grandmother Mary.

Chrissie plays both the main character and the narrator, using both very talented acting skills and her own personal experiences to help develop the character of a messed up teen. Grandmother Mary also struggles bringing up her beloved granddaughter, not understanding her worries and behaviour. I really enjoyed this play as it expressed how some people feel at certain times.

It helped to show that relationships between families and a good sense of communication is needed to get points across properly without misunderstandings.

The actresses in this were amazing. Not only did they act their parts as if they were the actual person living their life, but they also came across as if the play was real life. At parts I felt like crying and could really connect to Chrissie's feelings. Expressions on her face made her characteristics shine through to show the audience the true meaning behind her words. When there was a certain sense of tension between family members, actions and behaviour illustrated the frustration they were feeling and speech emphasised this greatly.

There was also a talk at the end where the actors were asked questions by the audience about their views on their roles in the play. It was quite queer as I was used to them being their characters. We got their personal opinions on what they thought the rolls should do next and it came across very interesting. They were asked questions as the characters afterwards as well which gave us another view on how Chrissie, Mary and Bernie maybe should act upon their instincts and relationships in the future.

Overall, I would just like to highlight the fact that the performance tonight was of great quality. The fact that the actresses were able to capture the audience so well was incredible as they made you focus on the characters and their views, making the world around you disappear completely.

To a certain extent I found that I could relate and click with Chrissie which was also a result in me getting so emotional and teary. It had a way of steering me one way or the other. I would just like to say a big well done for doing it so well to the actors and a thank you for an enjoyable night. Thanks once again! Annie x

check the www.thisisUll.com...... The Humber Mouth 2004 Homepage.

The Humber Mouth 2004 - Benedict Allen at Hull Truck Theatre Friday 25th June by Michelle Dee
	It is not often you get to see a truly awe-inspiring person. Benedict Allen is a pioneer of exploration and adventure, pushing the boundaries of human endurance to their outermost limits. His desire to make home in some of the most inhospitable places in the world could be viewed as sheer Read more...

The Humber Mouth 2004 - Sufi Poetry and Music night at the EICH Gallery, 19th June by Michelle Dee
	People were greeted by a thunderous drum call as they entered the performance space of the EICH gallery. Oluseyi Ogunjobi, Fosuwa Andoh and a girl of barely ten brought the audience to attention, playing pounding rhythms on African drums. The night's proceedings were introduced by Toyen, resplendent in Read more...

Hull Truck Theatre - presents the 20th anniversary production of.. Up n Under - Written and directed by John Godber Thursday 8th - Saturday 31st July, 8.00pm
	Hull Truck Theatre are celebrating John Godber's 20-year anniversary as Artistic Director by staging his Olivier award-winning play, Up n Under. Godber joined the company in 1984, bringing with him his unique brand of accessible comedy / drama which catapulted Hull Truck Theatre Read more...

The Humber Mouth 2004 - The Blockheads New Writing Festival Hull Truck Tue June 22nd by Lee Cassanell.
	Special Guest Reviewers - Jenna Jameson - Adult movie Starlet, Jesus Christ - The son of God ™ and He-Man - Master of the Universe A pale faced prostitute (Louisa Hutchinson) is torn between a sexually deviant superstore manger (Lee Green) and a Sean Connery impersonating pimp Read more...

Diary of Events - The Humber Mouth 2004
	Complete listings of the Humber Mouth 2004 Festival 19th June to 4th July. Many events are FREE so take advantage of what Hull has on offer for you.. and send in your reviews for publishing on thisisUll.com. Read more...

Check out thisisUll.com reviews from Humber Mouth 2003 below.

Humber Mouth Interviews - Tony Petch: Vanishing Point By Nicholas Boldock
	Tony Petch could be regarded, in the nicest possible way, as an elder statesman of poetry in Hull. He's certainly been around for a while now (and I'm sure he won't mind me pointing that out) and has been published in innumerable anthologies and magazines over the years. It comes as a surprise to discover that Vanishing Point is his first solo collection. Read more...

Reviews Humber Mouth - An Audience with Joan Bakewell, Hull Truck theatre Monday 10th Nov By Steven Hall.
	Joan Bakewell is a wonderful speaker. That should come as no surprise really, she is one of the great pioneers of TV journalism and in her time she has interviewed everyone - from Margaret Thatcher all the way to Marcel Duchamp. But knowing that someone is a great speaker and actually hearing them speak are two different things. Bakewell's tone, delivery, her pauses and her pitch were all perfectly perfect. It was great just to listen to her voice. Read more...

Kids - Movies
	Bruce Almighty (12A) I went to see this film with my brother and my best friend, Louis. Here is my review. Charlies Angels 2: Full Throttle (12A) I went to see this film with firstly, one of my best mates, Claire, and then the second time with my mates: Louis, Millie, Megan, Joe, Ali, Looby, Sarah, Roseanna, Cliffy (nickname), and Joe's mate from football, Danny….. Here is my review:- Read more...

Kids - Braiding
	The person doing my hair is called Flora and she is one of my best friends. She is two years older than me and her brother is in my year at school who I have known since I have been in nursery school. He is called Louis, and he is also a really good friend of mine. Read more...

Kids - Beyonce Dangerously In Love
	For my birthday, I received the new Beyonce album with ‘Crazy In Love’, ‘Bonny and Clyde’, ‘Work It Out’ and many more great songs from my cousin. Check this cool website out for all the song words in the album. Read more...