Month: August 2023

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Theater Camp – Film Review

🎬 Theater Camp
📍Picturehouse Central
🎟️ PR invite
⭐⭐⭐⭐

If there’s a camp I want to go to, it’s AdirondACTS!

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of attending a special screening of the film, Theater Camp.

Written and directed by Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman, Ben Platt and Noah Galvin, Theater Camp, is a satirical comedy film following the drama at a theatre camp in upstate New York. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, nostalgic, and amazingly wholesome.

As summer comes around, children begin preparing for their annual visit to AdirondACTS, the theatre camp for aspiring performers. When Joan, the beloved founder of the camp, falls into a coma, it’s down to her ‘entrepreneurial’ son, Troy (Jimmy Tatro), to help keep the camp afloat. A dilemma arises when Troy discovers the camp is facing bankruptcy. Clueless about the theatrical world, Troy works together with the eccentric teachers and campers to find a way to save the camp.

The film follows a ‘mockumentary’ style, capturing all the events across the camp as they all prepare for the original musical. I loved this format as it made the scenes more relatable and suited the style of humour. It’s incredibly satirical, reminding me of hit TV shows, The Office and Abbott Elementary. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the scenes were improvisation too! The cast shone throughout with their sharp wit and comedic timing.  The younger members of the cast were also impressive, and I loved seeing their over-dramatic characterisation of ‘theatre kids’.

My favourite scene was the montage of the lessons taking place across the camp. Costume, drama, stage management – and whatever class the unqualified teacher would attempt. Notable mention to Ayo Edebiri, for the deadpan humour in the role of a teacher who lied on their CV.

Ben Platt and Molly Gordon star as Amos and Rebecca-Diane, Head of Drama and Music teachers at the camp. Described as ‘artistically linked’ best friends, I enjoyed how the film explored their quirky friendship and the changing dynamic. Platt and Gordon were fantastic and displayed great (and funny) chemistry.

The script is packed with jokes, and while the storyline felt a bit predictable, the message conveyed was wholesome. All throughout, we witness how accepting the theatre camp is. The safe and welcoming hub it provides for the campers and the staff. The character arc of Glenn (Noah Galvin) was so heartwarming and perfectly embodied that supportive, affirming theatre spirit! Even with all the tender moments throughout the finale, as the children sing ‘Camp is Home’, I still found myself giggling at the credit scenes

This is a film that certainly resonates with me. Theater Camp is a genuine, hilarious, and light-hearted film that has beautifully shown what theatre means to people.

Theater Camp opens in UK cinemas on August 25th! You can find out more information about the film at https://www.searchlightpictures.com/theater-camp/

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Chips and Ice Cream – Camden Fringe

🎭 Chips and Ice Cream
📍 Camden People’s Theatre (Camden Fringe)
🎟️ PR invite
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Martyn Hodge’s Chips and Ice Cream explores parenthood, masculinity and intergenerational struggles in this fast-paced one-man show.

The story

Chips and Ice Cream provides a glimpse into the life of Stevie, a young, working-class man from Glasgow, as he navigates the challenges of raising his son, Charlie, to the best of his ability. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a therapy session, where Stevie exudes brash energy and sharp-witted humour. Plus a clear sign of defensiveness, which could only hint at his inner turmoil. The play entwines Stevie’s memories, moving between his journey as a father and the complex layers of his past.

My thoughts

Written and performed by Hodge, the script thoroughly unveils Stevie’s journey. He is a complicated character, who is coming to terms with his traumatic childhood with an alcoholic and abusive dad.

As we witness his love and care for Charlie – whether it’s rescuing “hamsters” together or indulging in McDonald’s – we’re also shown harrowing moments of anger that mirror Stevie’s upbringing. The switch between these scenes was quick, yet nicely portrayed through Hodge’s physical performance as well as the use of lighting, which worked well in guiding the audience through Stevie’s story.

In a playful scene where Hodge covers the stage with a collection of children’s toys, I was initially unsure whether this flashback was Stevie’s childhood. But on reflection, this could easily allude to the shared experiences with his son, Charlie. I enjoyed the verbatim elements, which further explored the social and financial pressures Stevie faced, and also Charlie’s bad behaviour at school.

Under the direction of Michael Abubakar, the show is fast-paced, perfectly matching the intensity of Hodge’s performance. Even with the bare set design, Hodge held our attention with their captivating and passionate stage presence.

Described as a comedy-drama, Chips and Ice Cream covers strong themes such as aggressive parenting, toxic masculinity, and the ripple effects of generational trauma. While there were elements of humour, the play remains a heavy and emotional story that I fully appreciated.

Chips and Ice Cream played at Camden Fringe on 8 and 14 August 2023.

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Brown Girl Noise – Camden Fringe

🎭 Brown Girl Noise
📍The Hope Theatre (Camden Fringe)
🎟️ PR invite
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kaya Uppal’s ‘Brown Girl Noise’ is a hilarious and heartfelt ode to South Asian Womanhood

The story

The story follows four South Asian girls who meet at an audition for Priti Patel’s autobiographical film. As they wait, they decide to tell their own stories, sharing personal anecdotes – from childhood experiences to first crushes to nosey aunties. Brown Girl Noise brims with laughter, emotion, and unapologetic authenticity.

My thoughts

Directed by Neetu Singh, the play is fueled by razor-sharp wit and a brilliant script that moves between dialogue, spoken word, and entertaining dance breaks. I enjoyed how the production effortlessly shifts between hilarity to poignant moments. Performed at The Hope Theatre, the show works well in its intimate setting, and there are playful breaches of the fourth wall. 

The humour takes centre stage and I found myself laughing out loud numerous times. I loved the iconic nods to pop culture moments including Love Island, Bend It Like Beckham, and *that* Big Brother India scene. While some reenactment scenes felt too drawn out, I quite enjoyed the theatrical impressions of UK politicians. 

The characters are wonderfully performed by Misha Domadia, Kerena Jagpal, Amber Zarya and writer, Kaya Uppal. Their chemistry was palpable; even in the moments where their dialogue overlapped, it only added to the natural camaraderie on display. They also showcased impeccable comedic timing and delivery. Whether it was plaiting each other’s hair or falling into a tight embrace, Singh’s direction beautifully portrayed a strong sense of unity and sisterhood.

The cast skillfully explores the challenges faced by South Asian women including name-calling, family pressure and gender discrimination. Uppal doesn’t hold back in revealing these obstacles and uses satire to portray this. As the play changes tone, I appreciated the more vulnerable moments, particularly the touching ‘Dear Me’ scene.

The second half of the play honours all South Asian women, and pay homage to their history as the characters state, ‘We are descendants of warriors’. The show provides a powerful way to share and embrace their stories, making them feel proud and empowered in who they are.

Brown Girl Noise serves as a clear example of why South Asian stories are important in theatre. As the characters humorously express their long wait for representation, (“I’ve waited 20 years for Bridgerton!“), the sentiment rings true.  The production is a lively blend of rebellion, humour, honesty, and unfiltered authenticity – qualities that make great theatre. With fantastic performances, resonating themes and a heartfelt core, this is a show with a lot of potential. I’m excited to see where it goes next!

Tickets are currently sold out, but you can find more information about the show here

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Heart – Barons Court Theatre

🎭 Heart
📍 Barons Court Theatre
🎟️ PR invite
⭐⭐⭐

Reece Lewis’ honest and personal one-man show heads to Barons Court Theatre for an evening of laughter, heartbreak and harrowing insight into the experience of a young queer man.

The story

Described as a love letter to all gay men in London, we meet Tyler – a 24-year-old mixed-race gay man from London. He adores his mum, and his friends and loves a party! But that’s not Tyler’s story – what lies beneath is far more complex. We learn that Tyler longs for a meaningful, romantic connection – which proves to be difficult to find in an era of online dating apps and casual encounters. The show also focuses on Tyler’s journey with an absent, disapproving parent.

My thoughts

We enter the theatre to various electronic dance tracks and nightclub-style lighting; this set the atmosphere of the show which I enjoyed as I admired the set. A Pride poster was centre stage, along with a multicoloured swivel chair and a Pride blanket. The set design did well to establish the theme of the show and reflect the character’s personality. Lewis had a fantastic stage presence from the moment they entered the stage. Tyler is instantly likeable, witty, and by the look of those dance moves – the life of the party! Lewis performed as multiple characters in the story effortlessly switching between the different accents and mannerisms.

‘Heart’ reveals the societal judgements gay people face, be it from family members or people in the queer community. Tyler is tired of being straight people’s ‘experiment’ and battles to find a real connection. His dating experiences are explored in a vivid scene, directed by Koreen Howel. As Tyler moves around the stage on the swivel chair, scrolling through explicit and racist Grindr messages, we can’t help but feel sorrow.

The show captures the freedom Tyler finds in queer spaces, the feeling of safety, and a space to be his true self. It was beautiful to hear and warmed my heart. The rhythmic, and slightly poetic script also nicely portrayed Tyler’s stream of consciousness.

While the show moved at a fast pace, some transitions felt disjointed and too abrupt. I liked some lighting choices throughout, including the warm blue for softer scenes. But during a moment of intimacy, we had a deep shade of red lighting but this was quickly turned off, despite the ongoing scene.

We lean into more sensitive themes, involving Tyler’s father, who is disapproving of his son’s sexuality and is abusive. The last scenes focused on their relationship and despite the poignant moments, this felt like a drawn-out conclusion. Tyler’s journey with his love interest seemed like the more fitting way to conclude the show. Considering the production is described as a love letter to the gay community in London, I wasn’t sure where the final 25 minutes fit into that. Nonetheless, I still appreciated the themes throughout the show. Reece Lewis is a strong performer and writer and I especially loved seeing a gay, mixed-race character (we need more POC queer stories!).

‘Heart’ is playing at Barons Court Theatre until 19 August 2023. You can buy a ticket online here!