Review: You Are What You Eat, Little Angel Theatre

You Are What You Eat not only refers to the theory of how the food you consume can affect your mood, but also to how your thoughts and behaviours can be influenced by the media that you consume. This energetic 70s-setting story, written by Izaak Hamilton-New, is about the latter, following two friends with different ideas about how best to achieve their dreams of becoming private detectives.

A woman’s brutal murder is probably not the ideal first case for enthusiastic but naive friends Lewis Macey (Hamilton-New) and Thomas Fielder (Ben Phaure) to establish their fledging detective agency. The pair have taken inspiration from different fictional sleuths; Macey would prefer the cerebral approach of gathering clues to solve a case, whilst Fielder is more interested in looking cool and diving into action with big Hollywood style fights to beat the baddies. Macey’s bemused sister, Grace (Abbie Kidd), provides both sound advice and sarcasm to support them. Whilst attempting to drum up business, a chance run in with the menacing club owner/mob boss Martin Alcock (Chris Agha) leads the pair unsuspectingly into a murder investigation that they will need all their wits and fledging skills to solve and survive.

The Noir influence is brought to life by director Michelle Allen, who co-produces with Hamilton-New, and it is immediately apparent from the dramatic opener. The desperate struggle and murder are accentuated in the stylishly atmospheric darkness of a raging storm, the action lit by occasional flashes of lightning; a showcase of Gabriel Haslam’s light and sound design. Macey’s opening narration establishes the gritty 70s setting and sets up the clever meta element as the central pair recognise and deliberate the merits of the different styles and tropes of the crime genre, considering how these may not always be helpful in their ‘real’ life.

This story is also very much a comedy in the best buddy copy tradition, with the cast sharing great chemistry and comic timing. Hamilton-New’s script is well balanced, providing plenty of laughs alongside the tense drama; the arising investigation is well constructed to highlight and contrast both aspects. The banter between the main trio quickly establishes their easy friendship and complementary personalities. To contrast their more light-hearted antics, Alcock is played with utter seriousness – a credible threat for our heroes, as Agha conveys real menace and tension. Nevertheless, Macey and Fielder gleefully recognise him delivering a clichéd villain monologue.

All elements of the production fully embrace the mood and style of the period setting, including era appropriate songs and dance moves to enjoy. The cast makes full use of the stage to perform the energetic and impressive choreography of both dancing and fighting. Juliet Hamilton’s costuming equips the cast in an array of brightly coloured and loudly patterned shirts, ties, dresses and flared trousers. In contrast, Alcock’s severe black suit leaves no doubt about his dark character. The story rapidly switches between different locations, so Talia Kauffman’s set design is resourcefully modular to maintain the momentum; different furniture, sections of wall and other props are easily wheeled, switched around or carried. The set is also full of detail, with appropriate posters, decorations and toys to be spotted. The cadence of news reporting is perfectly recreated when deployed to help convey the plot.

This is a thoroughly entertaining adventure, delivering on both the comedy and compelling crime fiction narrative, especially so for fans of the 70s aesthetics and culture.

You can read more about this show in our recent interview here.

Written by Izaak Hamilton-New
Directed by Michelle Allen
Produced by Izaak Hamilton-New and Michelle Allen
Set Design by Talia Kauffman
Lighting and Sound design by Gabriel Haslam
Costume Alteration by: Juliet Hamilton
Dance Choreography by Abbie Kid
Fight Choreography by Carlotta De Gregori
Presented by Beautiful Death Theatre

You Are What You Eat plays at Camden Fringe until Thursday 21 August.