As soon as I entered the Studio at Chapter Arts Centre where ‘Yuri’ was being performed, I was captivated. The colourful set brightened up what would normally be a dark drama studio, and I was immediately drawn to Carys Eleri in the role of Adele. Usually when I go to see a theatre play, many audience members would usually be chatting to the person sat next to them before the show starts, but not this time. Carys Eleri’s preparation for the evening ahead was a great way to draw the attention of the viewers in this audience involved theatre piece.

Yuri is story of a couple who can’t have children of their own, so instead adopt or technically kidnap a teenage boy of their own. But who is Yuri? Who knows?

Despite this being a comedy, it takes on the sensitive issue of a woman who wants what she can’t have, a child of her own. Carys Eleri’s brilliant portrayal of Adele shows a woman with a desperate need to care and nurture, a mother’s instinct that she clearly has and wants to express, so goes as far as creating a make belief child for herself in Yuri.

Acting opposite Carys Eleri was the equally talented Ceri Murphy in the role of husband Patrick, who seems to be the only character that has any sense of rational thought. While Adele has clearly lost sense of reality, Patrick has to come to terms with a new life, having a dumb stranger living in his home, but eventually near the end, grows to love, as Yuri begins to see him as a father figure, much to the jealousy of Adele, as it is her who has craved love and affection from a child.

In the role of Yuri was the young Guto Wynne Davies who had a high level of concentration throughout. Despite only having a few words to say near the end, Guto Wynne Davies was an equal member of the cast, playing a lost individual with baby like qualities, learning of the new world around him.

Overall, it was an enjoyable production with many laughs. A piece of work that all the cast and crew should be proud of. Special recognition should go to director Mathilde Lopez for creating a wonderful theatre experience.