“ A heartbreaking short that explores one decisive moment that breaks a pattern of homophobic abuse: we yearn for Sidney to find a way out of his intolerant father’s house and to take the advice of the Movie-star he hallucinates, to become the Pink Matador. But we also sense the challenge ahead, and it will be torrid. Even so, Lawing finds a glimpse of hope in the hopeless, a place to go where Sidney can finally be himself. Well done. ”

“ I've always loved The Bacchae, but this is an adaptation that really digs into what makes it such a thrilling ride. By casting the audience as Maenids (complete with drinking games whose rules are determined by acclamation) and encouraging a riotous energy, Pentheus really has no hope. Jillian Blevins skilfully uses Greek story structure and Euripides' narrative beats to help the story gallop along, but the chaos of the Bacchantes overflows into the audience and it feels impossible to avoid being swept up in it. Really cleverly done. ”

“ So much can be said in so few words, particularly if you share a regional dialect and mutual understanding of how it's used. Even for someone with zero knowledge of Clevelander expressions, David Hansen's short play is clear as a bell and would be a delightful acting exercise, particularly for young actors from the area! ”

“ I love a play that removes one of our senses and forces us to heighten the others. Here, a play in a claustrophobic cave setting lets the mind run wild since, as the title suggests, the lantern was kicked over just before the play begins, and the two boys are thrown into a panic as they are trapped underground. Sinister, spooky, and entirely relatable. Great work. ”