Three separate stories from the perspective of three different generations intertwine together in this modern Scottish drama from playwright Ross Dunsmore. The title gives nothing away as Milk is a mysterious production that attempts to put the confusions of the modern world into an understandable perspective.
The backbone is the story of new parents Nicole (Melody Grove) and her teacher husband Danny (Ryan Fletcher). Problems with breast feeding and an inappropriate altercation with a pupil cause tension between the couple. This story is sandwiched between the tale of young students Ash (Cristian Ortega) and Steph (Helen Mallon) and the story of the elderly couple Cyril (Tam Dean Burn) and May (Ann Louise Ross). Steph is a young boisterous student who is confused about love and sex. She looks for reassurance from her friend Ash, but he only seems interested in eating chicken. They have a difficult relationship that seems common with most teenagers.
Cyril and May also have a confusing and turbulent relationship. They struggle to survive in their old age and seek comfort and warmth in each other’s company. They are not naive like their teenage counterparts, but they are very troubled.
Despite the three separate interlocking stories the drama is clear and never feels disorientating. The transitions between the narrative strands are smooth and each story is given room to develop to their conclusion. Milk reaches its climax when all three viewpoints finally come together and the overwrought anxiety of the characters reaches an apex. The ending is tense and does not give a solution to the problems that the characters have encountered, instead the audience is presented with ambiguity. The drama is high and edgy and this is what makes Milk an interesting and unique production and a thoroughly engaging piece of new writing delivered by a talented cast.