We are a beautiful mystery...

Yes that's right folks, the review is flooding in, here's what Martin Ward had to say about us:

(a preview of the first 10 minutes of the show is still available here, by the way!)

WHEN NOTHING HAPPENS BY SOPHIE TILLEY

At the start of the performance the stage was empty. A relaxing acoustic guitar blended with a charcoal graphic which grew as we watched in the centre of the white, brightly lit video screen. A quite hidden voice then described the factory town which would become the background of the story of Owen and Sarah.

This is a beautiful mystery tale which holds you to the end. Its characters are simple working folk described with common language, including cliches and humour, depicting their day to day lives. But as soon as the enigmatic brass key surfaced it quickly became the subject of our focus, but, this was also a story of people, loss and acceptance.

Sophie Tilley has a lovely voice with changes in accent and timbre to reflect the different characters themselves and the changes in the mood of the story. However, these changes were slight enough to be effective but did not spoil the flow and mood of the tale. The occasional accompanying music blended well with the narration providing variation and atmosphere.

Despite the hook in the story and the variety provided by occassional pauses and accompanying music, I did wonder whether 45 minutes was a little too long for this format, but then I wouldn't want to remove anything from the prose. It was a beautiful story which I know I will retell to friends, probably over a campfire, or something similar, late on a summer evening.

I enjoyed both the graphics and the music and if you ever decide to publish the story, I will buy the first copy.

Martin Ward