Review: Embrace, Omnibus Theatre

There is never a better way to start a summer evening than with the latest and greatest your local theatre has to offer. And tonight’s offering was Embrace at the community space, Omnibus Theatre, a true gem of Clapham Common. At a healthy hour in length, this play quickly wraps you into a night in Manchester you really won’t forget. 

This witty piece is written by Evan Reynolds, with sincerity and lived experience at its heart. But this honest piece is not shy about its adult humour and brutal snapbacks. Truly laugh-out-loud funny with purposeful written jokes that give just enough breathing room for the audience to keep up. At first, the time jumps seemed to pull away from the main action. However, as the plot develops further and the characters become more complex, the flashbacks build on the major turning points. And, importantly, make Todd, the older gay man of the group, the focus, an angle that is perhaps less seen in queer performances. 

I occasionally found the transitions back in time a little confusing, although a change in time was clearly introduced with a musical interlude. The character Todd, played by Billy Bowness, also uses the easy yet effective method of a hat to help the audience identify when he was a younger version of himself. The audience would benefit if this method of a small accessory or prop change was used throughout the cast to help the audience keep up with the fast-paced script.

The cast size of six felt very comfortable, with each character having enough time and space to be explored. It’s hard to isolate each performer as they work so well in unison, bouncing off of each other’s quick remarks. The fully fleshed-out characters feel engaging throughout the whole night, continuously responding to the evening’s events even when not in the spotlight themselves. This performance style makes for a fully immersive watch, so consciously acted you can’t take your eyes off them. 

Direction by Riki Beadle-Blair is done well. The movement and expression of the characters appear natural throughout. Movement is at its strongest during a well-timed and comedic fight scene, put together by Jason Theodoulou, the tension gradually building into an explosive high point of the evening.

The set designed by Beadle-Blair and Evan Reynolds feels familiar to the cast as they move around the space and utilise the open-plan living room set up. The costumes, also designed by Beadle-Blair, feel very real and ground the piece. As a play largely about identity, it feels important that the costumes reflect each character’s unique personality. They are well considered, in some places even down to their underwear. 

At times the lighting and sound are a little sharp. Both by Conner Fleming, however, are essential to the plot and add to the atmosphere of the stage. The production has shown they have strong building blocks in the show and it would thrive on a larger scale. 

Relatable for some and eye-opening for others, this is a well-considered, built around queer history, comedy masterpiece that skilfully never takes away from the poignant core of the story.

Written by Evan Reynolds
Directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair
Assistant Director: Chrobot
Fight Choreography by Jason Theodoulou
Set Design by Rikki Beadle-Blair and Evan Reynolds
Costume Design by Rikki Beadle-Blair
Lighting and sound Design by Connor Fleming

Embrace has finished its run at Omnibus Theatre