Everything Theatre Reviews, interviews and news for theatre lovers, London and beyond
A satirical, yet slightly disturbing, look at the inner workings of social media. Worth seeing for the 30 seconds of dance from Millie and Dee that really is half a minute you may never forget.Summary
Rating
Excellent
Lion and Unicorn Theatre don’t go for grand staging: in fact often they don’t go for any staging at all. So the two office desks and shelves (with rather funky LEDs) tonight feel rather decadent! But not so much they risk distracting from what this wonderful pub theatre in Kentish Town does best; well written shows that more often than not shine a light on darker elements of society.
That darkness for Moonloaf‘s Insult to Injury is social media, and the abhorrent nature of the online trolling, abuse, misogyny and general unsavoury material that seems to dominate it; not unsurprisingly when you consider that such clickbait is the real money-spinner.
Set completely in the office of two senior employees, Kat and Ellis (wonderfully portrayed by writers Grace Millie and Kieran Dee) are tasked with deciding the policy of what should, or more importantly shouldn’t, be allowed for an unnamed social media company. The dark humour starts early, Kat explaining she previously worked in integrity. Sounds admirable, except it was at FIFA! The well-timed pause elicits plenty of knowing laughter. Their tough job suddenly becomes even tougher, and very personal, when they have to decide what to do about a post from the Prime Minister which breaches their policy on inciting violence. That decision starts a cascade of events that culminates in the company being taken over by Vos (played with the utmost creepiness by Nick Hardie), a man only interested in how to monetise the organisation to its max, whatever the consequences or damage.
There’s plenty of knowing nods to real events: for Prime Minister, exchange American President, For Vos, well, let’s just say Space Karen, and for the way Vos comes in all guns blazing with the need to allow free speech, you only need to look at Twitter and its decimation of those of its employees whose roles were to make the site safe. It means that as things take a distinctly dark turn, it’s easy to think it’s not too far-fetched! The show really should come with a warning that “any similarities with real life characters are entirely intentional.”
Millie and Dee’s partnership truly fizzes – unsurprising considering they have worked together as Moonloaf for a number of years now. The pair bounce off each other with the grace of synchronised swimmers. And as if that isn’t enough to keep you entertained, a rather bizarre dance from the pair with Dee dressed as the child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is perhaps my favourite 30 seconds of theatre this year!
Harriet Marsh’s direction also allows for everything to flow along nicely, giving us short snappy scenes that move smoothly from Kat’s first day through weeks and months as the working relationship of Kat and Ellis grows stronger. Her scene transitions are especially neat and tidy, assisted by good sound (usually from Jamie Roome, but on this performance Eden Harbud, who for a last minute replacement didn’t miss a beat).
Making a show about social media does come with countless risks. It’s a hot topic, it’s everywhere and trying to find something new to say – and say it in an original and entertaining way – is not easy. Insult To Injury might not be saying anything truly new, as everything portrayed has clearly been taken from real life, but what Millie and Dee do well is sprinkle a little Moonloaf glitter over it, enough to make this a brilliantly thought-provoking show that is just so much fun. Fun that is until they twist the knife to leave us wondering if this really is where we are all heading with our social media obsession.
Written by: Grace Millie and Kieran Dee
Directed by: Harriet Marsh
Produced by: Moonloaf
Sound and lighting by: Jamie Room/ Eden Harbud
Insult To Injury plays at Lion and Unicorn Theatre until 13 April. Further information and bookings can be found here.
