The Female Gaze and Other Stories (Volume 1) at The Cockpit Theatre, produced by Rich Creative (Annabelle Rich and Emily Warren). A night that oozed buzz and class, from the pro-quality teaser video to the queue for return tickets, the writing, and performances; linked vignettes exploring female sexuality through women’s eyes. First was ‘The Curious Case of Millicent Marz’ (writer Frances Knox in wellingtons and tiara), wry observations on coming of age, the panache of a stand-up comic … [Read more...]
R(ex)ception by Francesca Mepham produced as part of the Clapham Fringe Festival
An intriguing new comedy of embarrassment by a fresh voice, this work in progress made its debut as part of the Clapham Fringe. The spoiled Hannah (Charlotte Hunt) and gentle Mark (Glyn Manfo) are working together on the reception desk of an NHS office building. They bicker as they answer incoming calls, and we learn that they are in the process of finishing a relationship. The dialogue is observational; the characters are convincing and the mundane situations the find themselves in are … [Read more...]
Shakespeare Tonight by Paul Wilson and Tim Ferguson – Review
The concept is a promising one. Shakespeare; the human man, not the iconic genius; was tortured by his gift, haunted by tragedy and periodically blocked by crippling self-doubt. That story, an examination of his humanity and struggle to be exorcize his demons, deserves to be told. Having him de-evolve as a guest on a contemporary chat show, culminating in a cathartic breakdown, is original and interesting. 'Shakespeare Tonight' has a short development run as part of the … [Read more...]
Review of Steel Tumbleweed at The Courtyard Theatre
A startlingly original piece of new writing and a thumping debut. This production is patchy, but can only get better, and deserves a longer run and some serious development attention. The early 21 st century saw the steady degradation of the human condition by the use and misuse of social media. To quote Douglas Adams, ‘Meanwhile the poor Babel fish, by effectively removing all barriers to communication between different races and cultures has caused more and bloodier wars than anything else … [Read more...]