Month: November 2023

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REVIEW: The Woman in Black – Richmond Theatre

🎭 The Woman in Black
📍Richmond Theatre
🎟️ PR invite
⭐⭐⭐

For over 33 years, The Woman in Black has captivated audiences and now embarks on a UK tour, heading to Richmond Theatre for a spooky evening of theatre!

The story

The Woman in Black has been adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill’s best-selling novel. The play follows the story of Arthur Kipps (Malcom James), a solicitor who becomes obsessed with a curse he believes has been cast upon his family by the spectral figure of the ‘Woman in Black.’ Arthur has drafted a manuscript of his story, and seeks help from an Actor (Mark Hawkins). Together, they perform the play, delving deeper into Arthur’s memories. As the story goes on, we watch as the lines between reality and make-believe begin to blur…

Photo by Marc Douet

My thoughts

Malcolm James and Mark Hawkins delivered strong, engaging performances throughout the two-hander play.  The duo’s flawless execution of multi-roleplaying showcased their theatrical prowess, and I enjoyed seeing the range of emotions displayed by the characters. Hawkins, in the role of The Actor, was convincing during the tense scenes, showcasing such authentic emotion and terror. Similarly, James delivered a great performance, particularly in Act 2, where we witness a more fearful and desperate Arthur Kripps. 

Photo by Marc Douet

Michael Holt’s set design was straightforward, with minimal props and mostly antique furniture that established the time era. I liked the use of the long white sheets as the backdrop, eventually unveiling other parts of the mysterious house. These simple design choices certainly created a haunting experience. Kevin Sleep’s warm vintage orange lighting added a nostalgic ambiance and played a crucial role in the scene transitions. I found this helpful as it allowed us to follow the character’s performances and distinguish the change in characters. The subtle yet impactful shadow work also enhanced the mysterious atmosphere. 

Despite the commendable performances, some of the dialogue went unheard due to a lack of microphones (and the audience’s screams!). Act 1 had a cohesive narrative, whereas, by Act 2, the plot became confusing and relied on some predictable jumpscares. While I enjoyed the eerie and unexpected appearances from the ‘Woman in Black’, I found the pacing too slow, impacting my anticipated level of fear. 

Photo by Marc Douet

While the scare factor seemed underwhelming, The Woman in Black excels in its strong performances and atmospheric setting.  It manages to engage audiences and feels like the ideal theatre show for these dark, winter evenings.

The Woman in Black plays at Richmond Theatre until Saturday 18 November 2023, before continuing its U.K. tour!

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REVIEW: Flip! – Soho Theatre

First published on Lost in Theatreland website.

🎭 Flip!
📍 Soho Theatre
🎟️ Gifted
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

FLIP! takes the audience on an exhilarating journey into the intricate world of social media, examining the ever-evolving digital world.

We meet Carleen and Crystal (Leah St Luce and Jadesola Odunjo), a content-creating duo and inseparable best friends, who desire to become famous influencers! 

Their latest post pushes boundaries, but on FLIP!, a new social media platform, they find a second chance at fame and wealth. But what happens when morals are traded for engagements, likes, and reposts? Written by Racheal Ofori, FLIP! shows us the impact an ever-growing social platform has on ethics, compassion, and friendships. 

St Luce and Odunjo are fantastic in their roles, delivering comical and high-energy performances. I adore their natural chemistry and the authenticity of the characters. They are quirky, fun honest…and so in sync, (shoutout to Aline David’s movement direction!) St Luce and Odunjo are brilliant comedic actors, but also wonderfully showcase the more emotive and vulnerable moments. I was also impressed with how the two seamlessly embodied multiple roles. As they portray a chorus of online users – some sharing compliments, others outrightly hating –  the show delves into the nuances of influencer culture.

Emily Abaoud’s fast-paced direction pairs well with Ofori’s sharp script. Together, they create an exciting and engaging production that keeps the audience on their toes. I also enjoyed Abaoud’s direction mirroring the instantaneous nature of the online world. The absurd scenarios and parodies of real-life social channels made the audience cackle, adding an extra layer of humour to the show.

Ofori has cleverly portrayed the impact of our actions in the pursuit of validation. The characters exclaim, “Collect the cheques!” which prompts the audience to question the cost of chasing fame. 

FLIP! is not only entertaining – it’s a timely and relevant piece that perfectly captures the essence of our digital age. The script offers thought-provoking commentary in a way that reminds me of the TV show, Black Mirror. Particularly with the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence in the story, Ofori has created a unique exploration into one of society’s hot topics.

With a witty script, slick direction, and strong performances, FLIP! is a hilarious and reflective show on the dilemmas of social media.

Flip! plays at Soho Theatre until 25 November 2023!

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REVIEW: Brenda’s Got A Baby – New Diorama Theatre

🎭 Brenda’s Got A Baby
📍New Diorama Theatre
🎟️ PR invite
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jessica Hagan’s new comedy play heads to New Diorama Theatre for an entertaining and insightful production on Black womanhood, sisterhood, motherhood and…babies!

The story

Following an unforeseen breakup with her long-term boyfriend, Dami (Jordan Duvigneau) and feeling constantly overshadowed by her happily married younger sister, 29-year old Ama (Anita Uwajeh) sets out on a quest to embrace motherhood. Ama has made great achievements including securing her own home and a successful career, but as she approaches her late twenties, she believes the missing piece in her life is a child.

Ama navigates a rollercoaster ride that includes grappling with a shortage of available Black sperm donors, confronting a racially biased healthcare system, and dealing with her own demanding family. Still, Ama charges ahead with determination. Along the way, she finds herself entangled in awkward encounters, even more awkward conversations and defiant decisions. With the clock ticking, Ama’s sense of urgency only intensifies.

Photo by Cesare De Giglio

My thoughts

The show opens with sisters, Ama and Jade (Jahmila Heath), as Ama delivers a scathing commentary on a peer’s fifth pregnancy. Together, the two light up the stage with their quick wit and humour, setting the tone for the show. As they listed all the societal pressures and expectations they were told as teenagers, I enjoyed watching their convincing sisterly bond. The show featured pop cultural and TV references, including a notable scene from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. While this had the audience immediately engaged, with some even reciting the scene, I found this to be a smart foreshadowing technique for the events to come. 

Brenda’s Got A Baby was jam-packed with jokes that had the audience in constantly laughing. Hagan’s script is razor-sharp, witty and performed wonderfully by the cast of 5. Whether it was Dami’s audacious attitude, Jade’s innocence or Skippy’s (Edward Kagutuzi) naive but charming nature, I found the characters incredibly fun to watch. They had such natural chemistry and charisma throughout.

Photo by Cesare De Giglio

Michelle Asante gave a strong performance as Ama’s mum, with the exaggerated facial expressions and hilariously outlandish remarks. I couldn’t help but wonder how this character was so identical to my own Ghanaian mother (bravo to the team!) The infusion of the Ghanaian dialect, Twi, added to her character’s charm. Anita-Joy was utterly brilliant in the role of Ama and displayed great stage presence. The character’s overly sarcastic demeanor worked well with Uwajeh’s seamless comedic timing. Among the hilarity, I adored the poignant scene between Asante and Uwajeh as they portrayed a beautiful, mother-daughter bond.

Photo by Cesare De Giglio

The jigsaw set design by TK Hay added a colourful and playful dimension to the story, reflecting Ama’s vibrant dynamics of her family, but also the inner thoughts of her fragmented life. As Act 2 peeled back the layers of Ama’s vulnerability, we also learn more about her younger sister, Jade’s, health. I wished this particular scene wasn’t so hysterical between the characters. Though various revelations come to light, Jade’s announcement felt hurried. This would have been a significant plot to the story and further discussion into black women and healthcare.

Khalil Madovi provided subtle shifts in sound whenever babies and marriage were mentioned to Ama. This conveyed a strong sense of isolation, a theme that unfolds throughout the play. Anastasia Osei-Kuffour’s direction paired incredibly well with Madovi’s distorted sound design, both effectively mirroring the disjointed pieces of Ama’s life. The relentless (and literal!) countdown, symbolizing a ticking body clock further added to her desperation. It’s quite a tough experience to watch as Ama frantically paces around the stage, undergoing questionable actions. Osei-Kuffour skillfully balances between the playful direction in Act 1 to the sombre Act 2, where coercive cracks begin to surface.

Photo by Cesare De Giglio

I appreciated the show for addressing the societal pressures women face. But also acknowledging the issues within black women’s maternal care and health, with the inclusion of statistics that I wasn’t even aware of! Jessica Hagan is a talented writer, and cleverly blends satire with sensitivity, ensuring that the humorous moments do not overshadow the serious undertones.

Brenda’s Got A Baby is a brilliant production, offering constant laughter, thought-provoking themes, and a cast that delivers a marvellous performance!

Brenda’s Got A Baby plays at New Diorama Theatre until 2 December 2023.

Access performances:

Captioned: Wednesday 22 November 2023 – 7:30pm

Relaxed: Thursday 16 November 2023 – 7:30pm

Babes-in-Arms: Thursday 16 & Thursday 30 November – 2pm

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NEWS: Sister Act The Musical Wins 2023 London Lifestyle Awards for Theatre Show of the Year!

Running for the 13th year, the London Lifestyle Awards celebrates one of the greatest cities in the world, and the businesses that contribute to it. The ceremony took place on Monday, October 30th, 2023 at the glamorous Grosvenor House on Park Lane.

 The annual awards span various categories, including restaurants, bars, hotels, hair and beauty,  and, of course, theatre. Sister Act The Musical won the Theatre Show of the Year Award at the London Lifestyle Awards 2023.

The competition was fierce, with a closely contested shortlist featuring some of the most remarkable shows from the past year! 

The Theatre Show of the Year TOPTEN shortlist included the following popular theatre shows:  2:22 A Ghost Story, A Streetcar Named Desire, Dirty Dancing, Guys & Dolls, Legally Blonde, My Neighbour Totoro, My Son’s a Queer, SIX the Musical, and The Drifters Girl. 

Emerging West End star, Tobias Turley, represented by BBA Management, dazzled the audience with his rendition of ABBA’s “Does Your Mother Know.” Turley is currently competing on ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream and was one of the many talented performers who graced the stage. Guests also enjoyed captivating musical performances by opera superstar Lucy Kay and Ben Haenow and his band.

Jason Gale, founder of London Lifestyle AwardsÂŽ, expressed his enthusiasm for Sister Act The Musical’s well-deserved win, describing it as a “feel-good gospel hit” brimming with heart. He highlighted the exceptional quality of theatre available to London audiences and extended a warm welcome to Sister Act for its return to the capital city in Spring 2024.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted nominees and the winners! 

For more, please visit www.britishlifestyleawards.com/London