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Written by Chloe Edworthy
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 Lynn Manning was shot and blinded in an L.A. bar at the age of 23. This is his story. The monologue is both written and performed by Manning who delivers a meandering tale of abject poverty, abuse and ultimately prevailing optimism. However do not be misled by this grandiose description – this is a one man play without pretension and a narrative of true drama.
The script dives in and out of different stages of Manning’s biography detailing the incident in which he lost his sight and subsequent aftermath and reminiscences of his largely bleak experiences of growing up in 1960s L.A. This could have been an opportunity for sentimentalism or self-pity to creep into the script but Manning avoids both and here even the most appalling of stories are narrated with a remarkably rounded perspective.
Whether it was blindness that spawned Manning’s appreciation of language or if it was a talent given at birth is a question which only really he can answer, but what is undeniable is that this author and performer boasts a fine grasp of poetry. It is not only in his use of poignantly knowable imagery but also in his obvious appreciation of the phonetic resonance of words that one can recognise the potency of this natural lyricist. The script is confident and informed both linguistically and emotionally.
Manning the performer is animated; he successfully manages to incorporate the voices of many different characters and the poetic interjections which occasionally interrupt the flow of the narrative. Although the pace was initially a little hasty it didn’t take long for Manning to settle into his surroundings and relax into a more measured delivery which was flawlessly engaging.
For an education in both poetry and optimism Weights is surely one of the best bets at the Fringe.
- Weights
- Assembly @ George Street
- 31st July – 25th August (not 11th)
- 12.45pm (70 mins)
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