Paper Cut at Park Theatre

As Paper Cut makes its UK debut at Park Theatre, it seems yet to figure out what it wants to be. 

This is the story of Kyle, a gay American soldier returning from Afghanistan after losing his legs to an IED. Kyle stays with his brother, who he had previously fallen out with, and an old flame from the war comes looking for him.

Is it about being gay in the military? Is it about trying to date while disabled? Is it about the difficulties of returning from war? Is it about dealing with life after losing your limbs? Is it about mending familial relationships? Is it about how soldiers are treated? Is it about America’s attitude towards war? Is it about love? Yes. This show is muddled with countless themes, unable to explore any one of them with any real depth. 

Otherwise the writing does show potential in some areas. There are jokes throughout and some of them are genuinely brilliant – although they are outnumbered by the not-so-funny, which, in what can only be a cruel prank by the sound designer, are often backed by the sound of crickets.

The cast isn’t bad. Callum Moody (Kyle) has gravitas, Tobie Donovan brings the comic relief, Joe Bollard is pretty much spot-on and Prince Kundai has range, but much of it feels like inconsistent American accents and thinking that shouting is the same as showing emotion. It seems as though this is a talented young cast who just need a bit more time with the material and some better direction.

The stage and lighting design are perhaps the best things about Paper Cut: a number of batten lights hang vertically around the space and change colour or brightness depending on the scene. It’s a creative approach to such simple, low-budget design, and the result is both beautiful and effective.

There’s certainly some potential shining through, but for the most part this show just feels a little undercooked. 

Jim Compton-Hall
Photo: Stefan Hanegraaf

Paper Cut is at Park Theatre from 7^th June until 1^st July 2023. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.