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Post by Steve on Jan 12, 2023 18:32:00 GMT
Salt-Water Moon Finborough
Two fantastic performances with Joseph Potter bringing a lot of the energy he brought to Poltergeist at Arcola last year and Bryony Miller really nicely contrasting this with self-restraint and then un-peeling the layers as we go on. He's returned after vanishing a year ago and looking to get her back. She's engaged, maybe for love, maybe for security. 1926 and the world and in particular this corner of Canada are recovering from massive losses in WW1. Lovely and simple set which, just warm and friendly to walk into. Slight off pace, they cut 15 minutes from the original running time and it's too fast. The setting turns out to be really important, the coastal region and the Newfoundland/WW1 events, but this doesn't translate so successfully. Feels like I needed to know more (tho 2 very detailed pages in the programme help!) and if it had been playing in Canada would have clicked more, not so much a pub theatre (lovely as Finborough is!). Still three stars. Seen a real wide variety of reviews for it so no harm in making up your own mind.
Still no pub downstairs unfortunately! And I have to get into the habit of checking home games rather than deciding we'll head to Earls Court early for pub dinner and a drink... ooops.
Completely concur with Dave B. Even if you're not Canadian, and versed in every bit of David French's 5 play epic series about one Canadian family (so you won't have that frisson of seeing a character you already know and love at a younger stage of their life), as this is chronologically the first play (the third play in fact), you can still appreciate the tension of whether or not an old romance is going to reignite in this two-hander. There's not much more to the plot than that, really. Bryony Miller is affecting as a guarded young woman (she's exactly like what you'd imagine a young Marilla from Anne of Green Gables would be like, all buttoned up with a hint of mischief), but for me, the principal reason to see this is to catch Joseph Potter, an amazing actor in an early role. Potter doesn't have a flashy part this time, like he had in Arcola's one man show, "The Poltergeist," last year, but he brings flashes of fire and humour, and moment to moment brilliance to the playing of this part anyway lol. 4 stars from me.  |
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Post by Dave B on Jan 14, 2023 12:48:17 GMT
And the year is kicking off nicely (mostly).
The Manny - King's Head Theatre.
Fantastic piece by Sam McArdle, somewhat let down by the marketing approach. It is a comedy about a manny but it's really about not achieving your goals and being in a slump and alone and vulnerable and the fear of this. There are a lot of good laughs but also a couple of moments of gut punches, an emotional wringer. This deserves success and a wider audience and certainly recommend. 4 stars.
Wreckage - Turbine Theatre.
Loss and grief and moving on after the death of a fiance. A little all over the place and it's probably lazy to suggest Constellations but one of them is dead but it's kinda like that too. Award winner at Ed Fringe and this was good but not as great as occasional moments suggested. A particularly strong and moving ending is probably worth price of admission. 3 stars.
The Masks Of Aphra Behn - White Bear Theatre.
Aphra Behn was the first female professional playwright (in English at least) and this is a hour long educational drama about her but importantly it's also very entertaining. One woman show and Claire Louise Amias is great, really warm and funny and plays her with wit and charm. There is a slight meta start, we are the audience in a play in 1677 or something like that and this lets her welcome and come back to people and sections as contemporaries. She does a great job holding the two sides of White Bear. Finished there but plays The Space in Feb. With deference to TallPaul I shall not say where that Theatre is but it's worth a trip on the DLR  4 stars.
In The Net - Jermyn Street Theatre.
Well, I hope that's my big dud for 2023 out of the way. JST is lovely and usually such a sign of quality that this one surprised me. I found it dull and tedious and (even allowing for second preview), some of the acting... sheesh. I more blame, script/director as early one actor is really good at two roles, change of posture/body language really makes it work but then later in a third role, it's just an OTT caricature and ugh. Maybe it wasn't for me, maybe I had off night but I thought it tedious and un-engaging. A small number of people left at the interval and eavesdropping outside while I waited on herself... well I heard two groups come out and both say to the effect of they should move away from the door so they could talk about it. Oof.
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Post by Dave B on Jan 28, 2023 11:49:43 GMT
The Elephant Song - Park Theatre.
A really strong first 40 minutes but the last 20 go a bit convoluted. For a real-time piece, a little let down unfortunately. On the plus side, the cast are great with the cat and mouse back and forth between Evans and Osbaldeston being really funny. If it had kept that level up to the end, I'd probably be really really impressed with this. As it is, still a fine evening out. 3 stars
Othello - Lyric Hammersmith.
This was really great. Movement and physical theatre lets director take a well judged scalpel to the text, cutting the running time down but taking nothing away. Very strong young cast, hugely entertaining. Fab tech work, the set and sound really adding a lot to the production. Best use of the space I've seen in the Lyric in a while and really smart too. Moving the violence into physical theatre is effective and then the ending, even knowing the play and having seen it so recently at the NT, the ending had an audible gasp from me. A very strong 4 stars. I thought 5 for a while but the Othello and Iago relationship is a bit off, their friendship not really shown and then Iago is a little too obvious and Othello a little too gullible. Very, very worth seeing.
Picasso - Playground Theatre.
Peter Tate is great and shows Picasso as such a horrible misogynist, dumping woman after woman for the next younger prettier thing. But for a play that's about Picasso being a horrible human being and treating women appallingly... it cuts all of the women's roles and leaves it as a one man show where Tate also plays the women... just with effects on his vocals. Feels like a horrible mis-step. A shame as he is really really good and more than shows the drive and ego of Picasso.
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Post by alessia on Feb 11, 2023 7:25:44 GMT
Graceland - Royal Court upstairs
This is another one when I kick myself for doing my usual bulk buy of cheap tickets when they go on sale. I did not care for this at all, sadly. Odd choice to have piles of damp mud on the stage, where the actress is walking about in white socks. Storyline done to death and this one did not bring anything new or interesting to the conversation. I had expected to see the coercive/controlling aspect explored through the lens of another culture as there was Chinese music playing before it started, but in reality nothing much was made of the young woman's heritage apart from short references to her family working in a restaurant and smoking outside with another employee. She could have been from any other culture and it would have made zero difference to the story. I saw the second preview so I it might improve, although it being a monologue, I can't see that it will be changed that much. It is 75 minutes long, straight through.
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Post by londonpostie on Feb 15, 2023 20:01:11 GMT
Don't know where to put this - it's a free-to-roam-around installation piece that caught me off-guard. Particularly mindful experience. Every demographic in London seemed to be hovering around at 6pm or so, many staying. Not at all necessary, though could help if you accidentally partook of the other kind of mushroom at some point in the dim or decent past. There's been a number of things there, though this is the first that caused me to stop and stay. Worth checking if you're early for a show up west. It's called The Space in-Between. Location is Outernet, it's on TCR, right next to the tube and dead opposite the new Sohoplace theatre. As above, it's free; grab a coffee and take a load off >> www.outernetglobal.com/ londontheinside.com/location/spaces-in-between/ |
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Post by hadeswasking on Feb 25, 2023 21:58:06 GMT
Macbeth (An Undoing) - Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.
When I initially saw this was announced as part of the Lyceum's season I rolled my eyes over and went on to see what was next. Like many other people, I don't get along with many of Shakespeares works. Especially, one I've seen so many different adaptations of before.
Then I started to see good reviews for the thing and at those cheap Lyceum prices, I decided I could take a risk and see what the fuss was about!
Due to work commitments and prioritising other shows. I caught this one Thursday evening, nearing the end of it's month stint.
From the opening minutes I was enthralled. Liz Kettle takes command on that audience immediately as she steps on stage for the first time as Carlin. Her monologue is completely different from anything I was expecting. She addresses the audience directly questioning who on earth would want to see a play like this. It's honestly like she was speaking directly to me.
Act one takes a more faithful approach to the original source material, with bits here and there adapted to fit the tone of this brand new adaptation with a strong focus on Nicole Cooper's Lady Macbeth. Act two is where it goes off the rails (in a GREAT way). I enjoyed this so much I returned just 2 days later for a second visit and I managed to get more out of it the second time round.
The set is basic - yes but effective and more than we were led to expect. "If you're after pyrotechnics you'll be disappointed."
The Playtext by Zinnie Harris is now available to purchase. I don't think this will have as much of a further life as its due so I'd highly recommend anyone pick this up. You'll miss out on the fantastic performances by the cast but I hope if you do read you'll be begging for more. This is now the definitive version of Macbeth for me.
"MORE I SAY! GIVE US MORE!"
I believe another one of her plays is coming to the Young Vic very soon, I'll certainly be changing some of my upcoming plans to attend.
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Post by david on Feb 26, 2023 15:56:06 GMT
Spring and Port Wine (Bolton Octagon)
Bill Naughton's classic northern kitchen-sink drama might be 60 odd years old, but based on yesterday's matinee viewing, it certainly didn't feel dated and its themes of changing family dynamic and money worries in times of the socially changing 1960's felt just as relevant today as when the play was first performed in the 1970's at the same theatre.
Director Lotte Wakeman and her team have really done a wonderful job with this production. Being staged in the round and so close meant that you actually felt part of the Crompton family drama. With a great cast assembled and led by Les Dennis as a no nonsense and domineering Rafe Crompton and Mina Anwar as his wife Daisy, they really are a great double act providing both a lot of laughs and heartache. The pair really come into their own, particularly in Act 2 when they what appears to be their first and most open conversation about the state of the marriage and who work together at the end to reunite their fractured family.
The younger cast members who play the Crompton's kids didn't disappoint and certainly held their own against Dennis and Anwar to help create the Crompton family. Special mention to Isabel Ford who plays neighbour Betsy-Jane who steals every scene when she is on stage.
With a great period set from designer Katie Scott that I'm sure had many older patron's reminiscing about their own homes back in the day. This play really felt like an early episode of Corrie. The only disappointment was the on stage absence of the family cat!
A worthwhile trip to Bolton and a great start to their 2023 season.
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Post by david on Feb 26, 2023 16:30:31 GMT
Beginning (Manchester Royal Exchange)
Following on from watching the excellent 2017 staging of Eldridge's play at the NT, the Manchester REX opened up their 2023 season with their version of the play. Having been to a lot of stuff at the REX over the last few years that left me disappointed and frustrated. Thankfully this wasn't going to be added to that list and I came out at the end having had a really great evening watching this and the play certainly holds up in a second viewing some years later.
Starring the superb Erin Shanagher and Gerard Kearns, the setting of the play is moved from London to Manchester and I'd say that being staged in the round with the REX theatre actually is a real plus for me. Being sat on the £10 banquette seating, you get that intimacy of proceedings that was maybe lacking at the Dorfman.
A kitchen island set (along with a sofa and chair)from designer TK Hay dominates the stage, though unlike the NT version there is an absence of a clock within the set so you cannot see how long is left of the play.
Both actors bring both a real emotional depth to their roles as their character's navigate life, work, family and their love lives, along with some excellent physical comedy and dry wit the pair which are some real laugh out loud moments from the pair.
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Post by Dave B on Mar 5, 2023 10:59:33 GMT
The Journey To Venice - Finborough Theatre
Beautiful piece about a couple who have grown old and relive their youthful travels from their living room. Dressing in hiking gear, making sandwiches and using their chairs to recreate a trainride along side old travel footage. Interrupted by a plumber and then the home help, everyone comes together on a warm journey to Venice. Beautifully directed and acted, really understated throughout allowing for the warmth and humanity to shine through. Just started and another brilliant find by Finborough. Just lovely stuff. A very strong 4 stars.
Brilliant Jerks - Southwark Playhouse
Uber (but not really) and the story of a CEO, coder and driver as the company goes upwards fast. Dry and deadpan comedy with three very strong cast members in multiple roles. Very funny but the comedy overshadows much of the individual stories and leaves it feeling a little shallow and something a bit too familiar. Still an enjoyable evening out. 3 stars.
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Post by alessia on Mar 12, 2023 18:34:56 GMT
The Journey To Venice - Finborough Theatre
Beautiful piece about a couple who have grown old and relive their youthful travels from their living room. Dressing in hiking gear, making sandwiches and using their chairs to recreate a trainride along side old travel footage. Interrupted by a plumber and then the home help, everyone comes together on a warm journey to Venice. Beautifully directed and acted, really understated throughout allowing for the warmth and humanity to shine through. Just started and another brilliant find by Finborough. Just lovely stuff. A very strong 4 stars.
I echo this, I have just returned from the matinee today (really great to have a Sunday 3pm show!) and I loved it. it is funny, moving and the acting is spot on from everybody. I was in tears several times, including at the end. Really enjoyable day at the theatre and it's short, always a good thing in my book lol. |
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Post by david on Apr 16, 2023 13:48:04 GMT
Musicals Rock - Manchester Bridgewater Hall
The MBH has always been a venue on my "must visit" list so I finally managed to tick it off last night. A fantastic venue to visit and a great concert last night listening to some show tunes performed by the Halle Orchestra and vocalists of Emma Kingston, Debbie Kurup, Ricardo Afonso and David Thaxton.
Act 1 -
Mamma Mia! - Overture and Medley
Flashdance - What A Feeling
Evita - Buenos Aires
The Bodyguard - I Will Always Love You
Rent - One Song Glory
Tommy - Pinball Wizard
Frozen - Let It Go
Starlight Express - Starlight Express
JCS - Heaven On Their Minds
Priscilla - I Will Survive
Act 2 -
Rock of Ages - Final Countdown
Fame - What A Feeling
DEH - You Will Be Found
SoR - Where Did The Rock Go
WWRY - Radio Ga Ga
Waitress - I Didn't Plan It
Chess - Anthem
BOOH - BOOH
Wicked - Defying Gravity
Grease - We Go Together
Finale - The Time Warp
Standout Songs - (Act 1) Heaven On Their Minds performed by David Thaxton and Anthem from Ricardo Afonso in Act 2.
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Post by Dave B on Apr 24, 2023 11:05:59 GMT
The Meaning Of Zong - Barbican. Clearly a passion project for Giles Terera and he, and the cast, really put the work into this. It was notable how much of an ensemble piece it is, I had expected having written and directed, it might be more of a one man show. Cast were great, the staging was great, the movement from church to ship was excellent. Sidiki Dembele's music was excellent and worked really well. I enjoyed my afternoon but it felt like it was throwing in A LOT and going really broad and for me, not quite focused or even cohesive enough. The ending is fairly powerful but the links to more tragedies felt a bit off. I felt it could have honed a little more in on Empire and colonialism, the setup in the bookshop doesn't quite pay off. It covers it a little in the court but it's really about the now, the how slaves are property but only slightly touches on the wealth built on slavery, the theme felt a little under unexplored. Left me very interested in reading up more on the court and the transcripts but also feeling a little like I'd had a lecture about them for a while too.
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Post by david on Apr 24, 2023 11:21:40 GMT
The Meaning Of Zong - Barbican. Clearly a passion project for Giles Terera and he, and the cast, really put the work into this. It was notable how much of an ensemble piece it is, I had expected having written and directed, it might be more of a one man show. Cast were great, the staging was great, the movement from church to ship was excellent. Sidiki Dembele's music was excellent and worked really well. I enjoyed my afternoon but it felt like it was throwing in A LOT and going really broad and for me, not quite focused or even cohesive enough. The ending is fairly powerful but the links to more tragedies felt a bit off. I felt it could have honed a little more in on Empire and colonialism, the setup in the bookshop doesn't quite pay off. It covers it a little in the court but it's really about the now, the how slaves are property but only slightly touches on the wealth built on slavery, the theme felt a little under unexplored. Left me very interested in reading up more on the court and the transcripts but also feeling a little like I'd had a lecture about them for a while too.
I felt the same way about this on my viewing last year Dave B. Great cast and staging as you say but my feeling was that the writing needed a little more focus which maybe would if come from further editing / rewrites to tackle the issues in a bit more depth. The “today” bits with the bookshop stuff could have been ditched as I would have liked more time spent in the courtroom. Post-visit it made me do a bit of digging around on the web for further research into the subject. |
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Post by Dave B on May 28, 2023 17:40:22 GMT
Some recent random reviews.
Mustard - Arcola
Really strong piece about a broken relationship and the damage/self harm as a result. Presents a lot to the audience too .. not work out exactly but to ponder and make your own mind up. Some striking visuals in the staging. One woman show, enjoyed this a whole lot. 4 stars
A Brief List of Everyone Who Died - Finborough Theatre
I loved Chemistry back when it played here a few years ago, so same writer and diretor really had my interest but this didn't quite hit the same levels for me. A woman's life from 5 to 90 as defined/influenced by the deaths along the way. From a family puppy at a young age through friends, parents etc. Strong cast, and a decent evening but was left wanting a little more. 3 stars.
Leaves Of Glass - Park Theatre.
I like Philip Ridley and this works nicely. Usual strong use of language and plenty of conflict but lots about different memories or perceptions and how they actually hang together. Strong cast playing well together. 4 stars.
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Post by David J on Jun 9, 2023 10:19:38 GMT
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (Watermill Theatre)
Me and a friend to this on the strength of the four star reviews. I'm afraid we left at the interval.
Not that the production and acting wasn't terrible. Some of the director's choices were well done.
The problem was the script. I read on the Guardian review that they decided to change up the structure of the story, afraid that people who have read the book or seen the TV series will predict everything and wanted to keep them guessing.
But for someone who hasn't read the book or see the TV series the tooing and froing from present to past and there and back again left me disconnected from the story playing catch up with whats going on.
I'm sure it was a good production, and at 1 hour and 45 minutes long it did feel like a pacy production in the first act.
This just didn't work for me.
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Post by alessia on Jun 9, 2023 13:28:01 GMT
All of it - Royal Court
I went to see the three short plays on Wednesday. I thought it was excellent- all of the three segments had something interesting to say and Kate O'Flynn is fantastic. I particularly loved the last play, which gives its name to the whole thing. It reminded me of Age is a Feeling, in that it is about a woman's whole life concentrated into half hour (? maybe longer) monologue. But All of It was even more intense, with very clever parts such as the repetitions 'driving to work' to convey the mundanity of a life.
I was very distracted that evening and before it started I even wished to be home, but actually I ended up loving it. Highly recommended.
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Post by Dave B on Jun 9, 2023 13:37:08 GMT
All of it - Royal CourtI went to see the three short plays on Wednesday. I thought it was excellent- all of the three segments had something interesting to say and Kate O'Flynn is fantastic. I particularly loved the last play, which gives its name to the whole thing. It reminded me of Age is a Feeling, in that it is about a woman's whole life concentrated into half hour (? maybe longer) monologue. But All of It was even more intense, with very clever parts such as the repetitions 'driving to work' to convey the mundanity of a life. I was very distracted that evening and before it started I even wished to be home, but actually I ended up loving it. Highly recommended. Fab, I am aiming to be in the Monday morning queue for this |
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Post by og on Jun 9, 2023 20:01:04 GMT
No Pay? No Way! - Royal Exchange, Manchester
Bizarre, absurd and ridiculously damn relevant. This mental production follows 2 couples dealing with the fall out following a revolt against the soaring cost of food. Wacky in its presentation, the 5-person cast fire on more than all of their cylinders combined to make this 2-act show fly by and conclude with a gutting sucker-punch of a monologue, resulting in an immediate, raucous response from the audience.
Faultless. I implore everyone who can to get a ticket.
12 stars.
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Post by Dave B on Jun 13, 2023 7:40:58 GMT
Dauntless - British Museum
Crick Crack Club's Debs Newbold giving her take on the legend of real life Grainne ni Mhaille, Irish pirate Queen in the 1500s. An always entertaining afternoon and while the BM's lecture theatre is a bit bland, coming into the museum and having odd reference to collections etc during the story makes it a lovely venue.
All Of It - Royal Court
Slightly more surreal than I was expecting but a complete tour-de-force (cliches be damned) from Kate O'Flynn. Centre front row £12 RC Monday, lovely. I found the evening to really draw me in, with the second monologue really working and then the third, the breathless run-through of a full life being quite stunning. I could feel the audience growing into the evening and by all of it, we were hanging on every word and movement. A spectacular feat of memorisation combined with a great performance.
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Post by londonpostie on Jun 16, 2023 19:01:42 GMT
All of It - Royal Court
The obv. reference points for type - for a sense of where we are - are Caryl Churchill and, arguably, Sam Beckett. Though, here, we are more tentative than assured old stager. I think we have to thank Vicky Featherstone for championing Alistair McDowall (returning with a glow after ... you're ahead of me, aren't you).
If you saw Churchill's 3 one-act pieces Glass. Kill. Bluebeard, then Tom Mothersdale's monologue might even have popped up.
In terms of the artist, it's difficult to know what we're dealing with because this is effectively stream-of-consciousness stuff, manifesting after periods of internalisation; it has considered shape, but not always as we commonly know it.
Quite the commitment from Kate O'Flynn. Shades of Lisa Dwan in Beckett's Happy Days - I can offer no higher praise.
Pretty much what the RC is for. Lovely to be reminded of why I keep coming back.
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Post by londonpostie on Jun 17, 2023 11:32:01 GMT
All of It - Royal Court
The obv. reference points for type - for a sense of where we are - are Caryl Churchill and, arguably, Sam Beckett. Though, here, we are more tentative than assured old stager. I think we have to thank Vicky Featherstone for championing Alistair McDowall (returning with a glow after ... you're ahead of me, aren't you).
If you saw Churchill's 3 one-act pieces Glass. Kill. Bluebeard, then Tom Mothersdale's monologue might even have popped up.
In terms of the artist, it's difficult to know what we're dealing with because this is effectively stream-of-consciousness stuff, manifesting after periods of internalisation; it has considered shape, but not always as we commonly know it.
Quite the commitment from Kate O'Flynn. Shades of Lisa Dwan in Beckett's Happy Days - I can offer no higher praise.
Pretty much what the RC is for. Lovely to be reminded of why I keep coming back.
4 stars from The Stage - this is the part of their review that's not paywalled:
All of It review
“Transfixing”
Reviews
by Sam Marlowe
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court, London
Lyrical, intimate and heart-stoppingly immediate triptych of female experience
Alistair McDowall’s work can induce a kind of euphoria. There’s a fearlessness about his writing, a scope that is gloriously theatrical. His recent play at this venue, The Glow, was a wild ride through time and space, the characters and narratives exhilaratingly shapeshifting. This time, he gives us a poetic triptych of female experience directed by Vicky Featherstone and Sam Pritchard that, while still epic – it’s concerned with themes as huge and universal as love, family, mortality and memory – is as intimate as warm breath on the nape of your neck.
The pieces were written for actor Kate O’Flynn and All of It, the titular final playlet, was previously seen in 2020. In an extraordinary, stream-of-consciousness rush of language, it condenses an entire life, from the vivid red, slippery, helter-skelter of birth to the fading, blurring and darkening of death. It’s a Northern memoir by way of Beckett’s Not I, traversing schooldays, marriages and motherhood. O’Flynn delivers it from a stool, dressed in black and holding a microphone like a performance poet, but the sensations that McDowall conjures are so overwhelmingly vivid that it’s almost as if his imagery is superimposed over what we see on the stage. And O’Flynn’s delivery is incredible, every utterance seemingly freshly coursing up from her core through her body and out of her mouth – an uncanny melding of performance and material.
It continues ..
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Post by foxa on Jun 17, 2023 20:21:42 GMT
All of it
Best thing I've seen at the Court for a while. Particularly liked the second piece 'In Stereo' - in the best possible way it was like an art installation/short story/aural experience mash up. Kate O'Flynn's stamina and skill were extraordinary. And then I loved her wide open smile at the curtain call.
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Post by Dave B on Jun 22, 2023 7:22:33 GMT
With all of the frantic talk about new work at the NT, I - with tongue firmly in cheek - am astounded that no-one has given us any brief reviews from Connections 2023 at the NT We went last night and to be honest we wanted to see the second one because it is written by Lisa McGee (Creator of Derry Girls) but it was an entire £3 more to make it a double bill.
Is This Good Enough. Written by Avaes Mohammad, it is a reworking of an very old Persian epic which turns into a journey to find that you can be a leader and that when you look into a mirror or just at yourself, then you can be more than you think. A wide variety of quality in the acting and a clear intention to give the 15+ cast each a part detracts a little. It was still fine but it felt very amateur, it also felt written and presented for kids or young teens, not something that really fully works for an adult audience. A youngish cast, excited (who can blame them!) to be on stage at the NT and at times a bit overwhelmed. The Heights. Written as mentioned by Lisa McGee, this was a whole different kettle of fish. A slightly older cast (though all under 21 as I understand it) and much more thought given into the story and showing that rather than giving everyone lines and a larger part. Quite a few strong performances, a really smart set and a decent story made this really good. Part of it might be because the first one felt so amateur (which it was, not meant to be derogatory but descriptive) but this one felt professional. The directing, the staging, more than once nice piece of physical theatre - everything. If I'd paid for this in a small pub theatre, I'd have been really happy with what I got. A script while touching on teens and the solitude and loneliness some feels that the script is not actually about being young, not a children's story, not talking down to anyone. Minor changes to dialogue and this could be played for any age. I think a better script and a slightly older cast/crew made all the difference. Enjoyed this one a lot. |
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Post by Dave B on Jun 25, 2023 9:15:20 GMT
The Return of Benjamin Lay - Finborough
This would be a slog except for the just superb Mark Povinelli. Now, 300 years after his death Benjamin Lay walks into a Quaker meeting (the theatre) to make his case for being let back in. What follows is a dry historical lecture which is muddling and at times boring but Povinelli - talk about transcending the pages. It's a one or maybe 2 star play but with a 5 star performance.
these words that'll linger like ghosts till the day i drop down dead - The Pleasance
A very meta exploration of loss and grief and regret with two utterly fantastic performances. Using theatre/scripts to re-write history to make a better outcome and to slowly process. Really well done, really well written and staged. A slight overuse of scripts as it gets really meta but that's a minor complaint. A strong four stars.
The Life Sporadic of Jess Wildgoose - The Pleasance
A work in progress piece from Voloz Collective, first new work since fringe and Edfringe smash The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much. Went in with high expectations and I was not disappointed. More of the same smart physical theatre but this time with a little more emotional core/journey, their first reference was Tarantino, this time it's Wed Anderson. They are quite open about still working on it and there are a couple of bits that do need a little work but it's already sitting around 4 stars. Hugely entertaining hour, hugely enjoyable performances and wow did they work for it with the heat and the full on physical work, soaked to the skin. They are taking both shows to EdFringe this year, 100% worth seeing.
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Post by bee on Jun 25, 2023 9:48:35 GMT
I saw The Return of Benjamin Lay yesterday. I'd probably disagree with Dave B on the quality of the play, I thought it was fine, and at only 70 minutes doesn't overstay it's welcome. However I'm in full agreement with him about Mark Povinelli, he's just marvellous, totally immerses himself in the character.
A small spoiler/warning for anyone thinking of going (it's on till July 8th). There's a small amount of audience interaction. It's nothing to get too nervous about, but you might want to choose a seat at the back if that sort of thing bothers you. You also might want to have a think about any good books you've read recently!
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4 stars.
