one4review | On 09, Aug 2016

Denton and Me is a touchingly written drama based in part on ‘The Journals Of Denton Welch’ which were published in 1952 following Denton’s death in 1948. Sam Rowe, write and performer, was given the diaries as a gift by a family friend and he whilst reading them he found resonances with his own life. These resonances gave Sam the inspiration to weave their two life stories together into this well-crafted play. Denton’s diaries uncovered an intense loneliness and a frank longing for forbidden love. When he did meet Eric, the love of his life, there are passages of sweetness and frustration as he loves from afar, rejects but ultimately accepts his relationship with Eric. Sam’s life on the other hand is not beset with the same societal restrictions but he also experiences the loneliness and frustration of trying to find a love and to find a purpose in life. There is humour peppered throughout the performance and Sam moves silkily between playing Denton and playing himself. This was an enthralling 75minutes – highly recommended.
*****
Reviewed by Rona
Summerhall 3.05pm 9-28th (not 15th or 22nd) August 2016