Key Change, Battersea Arts Centre – Review

Pros: An eye-opening production that deals with gender prison violence.

Cons: It will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
Key Change, Battersea Arts Centre – Review

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

A piece that gives insight into prison life.

In recent years, insight into prison life has been explored in TV shows like ‘Orange is the New Black’. The audience is exposed to an unfamiliar environment and an understanding of this environment slowly starts taking place. Key Change provides the same insight, more effectively.

Looking at prison stories through a magnifying glass and trying to analyse them is never an easy task. A taboo topic for many, these stories can be shocking, eye opening and incredibly heart-breaking. However, being oblivious to the abuse and suffering only makes things worse.

Devised with women in Her Majesty’s Prison Low Newton, Catrina McHugh delivers an incredibly written piece of theatre that will leave you speechless and more aware than you were before you entered the auditorium. You are introduced to the stories of Kelly, Lucy, Kim and Angie. The actors are on stage when you enter the performance space; ready to show you how they ended up in prison.

Shadowed by the demons of drug abuse and depression, you see a depiction of suffering like you have never seen before. With stellar performances by Christina Berriman Dawson, Cheryl Marie Dixon, Judi Earl, Jessica Johnson with the support of Kate McCheyne, the women will enter the depths of your soul and take you with them on a journey that will leave you breathless.

I cannot go on without mentioning the incredible performance by Jessica Johnson. Her portrayal of Angie is impeccably executed. The ability to bring humour into a character that has gone through so much suffering is something that not many actors are capable of.

The entire cast brings a performance that will chillingly haunt you for a while. The performance includes some physical theatre, so you get to experience a part of the story through the beautiful movement of the actors.

It was my second visit to Battersea Arts Centre and once again I was not disappointed. It is slowly becoming one of my favourite venues – cosy, funky and they always play the best music in the bar area.

Key Change is an unmissable production. You have two weeks – buy your tickets now!

Devised with: Women in HMPYOI Low Newton
Writer: Catrina McHugh
Director: Laura Lindow
Creative Producer: Jill Heslop
Box Office: 020 7223 2223
Booking Link: https://www.bac.org.uk/content/42264/whats_on/whats_on/shows/key_change?calendar=open#22287
Booking Until: 29 April 2017