‘Adults’ is the newest work from renowned Scottish playwright Kieran Hurley. Hurley is best known for his plays ‘Mouthpiece’ and ‘The Enemy’, showcasing his unflinching voice when it comes to exploring complex contemporary themes and issues. Amongst a raft of anonymous Air BnBs in Edinburgh, ‘Adults’ follows thirty-something Zara who is running her own business and trying to make her way in the world. A new client has just arrived, but her colleague is running late. Tensions are high. Oh, and the business is a brothel, the client is her old teacher, and her colleague is having a panic about his fear of the inevitability of aging.
Conleth Hill is hilarious as Iain, Zara’s farcical old English Teacher. Conleth’s constant energy, exaggerated reactions and brilliant physical comedy leaves the audience in hysterics. This role couldn’t be further away from King’s Landing, Conleth is given the creative license to truly have fun with this character and play. With this there is an underlying vulnerability in this character, where Conleth lays bare Iain’s struggles of growing old and irrelevant. Yet there is a comfort there, as much as the character makes some very questionable decisions, Conleth brings a certain likeability to Iain, and the audience can easily show empathy to Iain’s struggles. Such a superb performance from this internationally renowned actor.
Anders Hayward lays bare (quite literally) the struggles of being a father in his portrayal of Jay. There is comedic nuance present within Anders’ performance, yet the narcissistic tendencies engulf this character, and they ultimately become the catalyst in this play. This is something which Anders plays brilliantly. Yet in the final moments, we see the caring father, willing to accept his and other’s vulnerabilities. This is a great performance from Anders.
Dani Heron’s Zara is a candid and realistic portrayal of a young struggling woman, who is trying to find her way through life. Dani truly represents a Scottish woman, she knows how to relate Zara to the audience, we don’t see kitsch stereotypes or beauty overcoming intelligence. Instead, we see a woman working hard to gain an income. The dialogue is delivered with such naturalism and sincerity, with some great snipes when needed. Dani’s portrayal of Zara truly brings a modern Scottish woman to stage, fierce, intelligent and funny.
Kieran Hurley’s writing for this play includes fantastic comedy and real exploration of age barriers within modern society. To do all this in the setting of a makeshift brothel is admirable. His witty, natural and bold dialogue hooks the audience on an outrageous journey that lasts an hour and twenty minutes, but it simply blasts by. Roxana Silbert’s direction embraces the quick pace, plus the farcical antics of the text, while also ensuring there is realism present. Anna Orton’s costume and set is vibrant and hysterical, when the transition to the brothel occurs. Colin Grenfell’s both naturalistic and colourful lighting design compliments this.
‘Adults’ is a hilarious and yet poignant play that features a stellar cast and a superb book written by one of Scotland’s most talented playwrights.
Playing Traverse Theatre until 27th August, get your tickets below –
https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/adults-festival-23
Theatre Scotland 
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