Home » 2013 » November (page 6)

Monthly Archives: November 2013

Landscape II, Battersea Arts Centre – Review

Written and Performed by Melanie WilsonIn Collaboration with Fuel★★★ Pros: A very delicate work with a stunning audiovisual aspect. Cons: The narration could have been a little more energised and varied. Our Verdict: A nice mix of multimedia and performance, although the delivery and script could have been polished. Courtesy of Battersea Arts Centre Landscape II is a poetic dialogue between different times and locations. It tells the story of a woman, Vivian, alone in a countryside as she delves ...

Read More »

LEE HARVEY OSWALD A Far Mean Streak of Independence Brought On By Negleck, Finborough Theatre – Review

Michael Hastings Directed by Alex Thorpe ★★★★ Pros: A well-acted slice of 1960s America. Adam Gillen is wonderful as Lee Harvey Oswald. Cons: This much yelling and violence in a small space can get overwhelming. Our Verdict: Interesting, thought-provoking and darkly entertaining. Courtesy of Finborough Theatre Lee Harvey Oswald (the full title of which is far too long to write out!), is a well written and well acted look into the murder of US President Kennedy, told through the women ...

Read More »

Writer’s Block and Misanthropy, Etcetera Theatre – Review

Writer’s BlockWilliam Alexander WoodDirected by William Wood MisanthropyLouise HartDirected by Steve Fitzgerald ★★★ Pros: A strong characterization by Paul Linghorn of the sarcastic and disillusioned writer Leo. Cons: The noise level from the pub was distracting and the sound used for the productions was turned up too high. Our Verdict: Two pieces of new writing that demonstrate the breadth of ideas and concerns of young, contemporary playwrights. Courtesy of Etcetera Theatre On a small stage above a busy Camden pub, ...

Read More »

Child Z, Drayton Arms Theatre – Review

Sarah Hehir Directed by Suzette Coon★★★ Pros: Bold choice of subject matter. The story has a good focus and is clear in its delivery. The dialogue is strong and, even within a rehearsed reading, the performances are excellent. Cons: Despite good character development, this play is missing a message and is too sensitive in its approach, leaving little impact on the audience. Furthermore, I felt the narrative verses between the scenes did little to enhance the story. Our Verdict: If ...

Read More »

Nineties Woman, Camden People’s Theatre – Review

Written and performed by Rosie Wilby ★★★ Pros: A charming show presenting the soft face of feminism. Cons: It was very light and gentle. It felt as though it could have been more penetrating with more social context. Our Verdict: A very pleasant, one woman performance that is gently entertaining and bemusing with interesting subject matter, although lacked oomph. Courtesy of Camden People’s Theatre Rosie Wilby presents what I can only describe as an oral history of her experiences as part ...

Read More »

La Voix Humaine and Folie à Deux, The Cockpit – Review

La Voix Humaine Jean Cocteau and Francis Poulenc Directed by Nikolas Sodiant Folie à Deux Jean Genet  Adapted by Two Tongue Theatre ★★★★ Pros: Two great performances, displaying a wide array of skills from both companies. Cons: Few to speak of. The interval between the plays could have been a little shorter. Our Verdict: A great double bill, accessible to French and English speakers alike. Great stuff from the Voilà! Festival. Courtesy of The Cockpit Voilà! is an annual French-language ...

Read More »

What the Dickens!, The Lion & Unicorn Theatre – Review

KDC theatre cast and creatives★★ Pros: Some excellent characterisation in places. Cons: Inconsistent direction and a distinct lack of spooky atmosphere for ghostly tales; I only jumped once! Our Verdict: A piece that demonstrates some great potential from its cast and creatives but needs more work. Courtesy of The Lion & Unicorn theatre It’s always good to see some spooky theatricals around Halloween, so KDC theatre’s decision to showcase of a selection of Victorian ghost stories sounded promising. Unfortunately the ...

Read More »

Through Daddy’s Eyes & The Inner Life of Sophie Taylor, The London Theatre (New Cross) – Review

Through Daddy’s EyesDevised and directed by Ain Rashida Sykes The Inner Life of Sophie TaylorRoisin RaeDirected by Anna Ehnoid-Danailov ★★ Pros: Good subject choices with the potential to inspire strong emotional responses from an audience. Cons: More work is needed to do justice to the complexities of parenthood as experienced by both genders. Our Verdict: Both pieces felt like works in progress, but the subject matter is definitely worthy of more attention to bring them to fruition. Courtesy of Prams ...

Read More »

Unscorched, Finborough Theatre – Review

Luke Owen Directed by Justin Audibert ★★★ Pros: Good acting, a clever set and a memorable look and feel. Cons: Lacked a compelling enough storyline. Our Verdict: A slick and eye-catching production about a sensitive subject, but too predictable in its emotional devices and story arc. Credit: Richard Davenport I watched a film recently where the opening shot is of a pig being led out into a farmyard. It’s squealing as the farmer drags it by the collar. The farmer ...

Read More »