All Of Us Want Something To Get Over

Bread & Roses Theatre

Reviewed – 25th February 2020

★★★

 

“moments of brilliant direction by Reade saved the production from falling quite flat and gave humour to the unsubtle topic”

 

We Love Women presented an evening with three warm up acts and a short play, all delicately linked to womanhood and the idea that everybody has a personal tragedy that they cling to.

The set design, by Tamsin Robinson was inspired; walking into the Bread and Roses Theatre was like entering a fort from when you were five. The stage was covered floor to ceiling in different coloured bed sheets, creating a cosy and comforting atmosphere. This allowed us to feel as if we were in a safe space, whilst of course, alluding to the key genre of the show, sex.

Before the play, there were two warm up acts consisting of a monologue entitled ‘My First Time’ written by Phoebe Wood and performed by Ella Hooper and a burlesque performance by Belle De Beauvoir. Comedian Emilyrose Woods lead the introductions to each piece, separating them with brief moments of stand up about her own sexuality and experiences. Emilyrose Woods’ stand up was intimidating at first, as she called upon members of the audience and asked them about their sexuality. However, as she became comfortable in the space, she settled into her set and it flowed nicely.

Phoebe Wood’s ‘My First Time’ was elegantly portrayed by Ella Hooper, bringing to life the unbreakable relationship between mother and daughter and the moments that every woman goes through and shares, but might never say out aloud. Hooper slid between each character with ease, and finally, just before a moment of physical theatre, the bond was highlighted beautifully with the line ‘Is it weird that sometimes I want to be back in your womb?’

Belle De Beauvoir’s piece of Burlesque began extremely poignantly, referencing again the relationship between mother and daughter as Beauvoir held a leg to the line ‘Love your body like your mother loved your baby feet’ whilst removing a stocking. Beauvoir transitioned from this into traditional burlesque; the performance was brave, creating a nostalgic whilst also fun atmosphere, including the use of feathers and some impressive splits.

After both of these warm up acts, we were told by Emilyrose Woods that the play would commence. Written by Vogue Giambri and directed by Amy Reade, ‘All Of Us Want Something To Get Over’ is about a couple, Gert (Abbi Douetil) and Memphis (Alex Wingfield), both struggling with very different problems and trying to make their relationship work. The play was a bit of a disappointment following the warm up acts; the couple lacked chemistry and gave uneven performances, where Douetil yelled extensively in semi-clichés, whilst Wingfield over acted his hypochondria, to the point of seeming almost toddler-esq.

However, there were a few brilliant moments, a particular one stood out where the couple are allowing themselves to say what they think, but only whilst shoving popcorn down the other person’s mouth, this use of physical was amplified further as the couple stretch and blow into balloons to imply that they are having sex. These moments of brilliant direction by Reade saved the production from falling quite flat and gave humour to the unsubtle topic.

The play finished on a sentimental note which resonated; that people are scared to let go of the thing that is ‘wrong with them’ in the fear of what comes after this. When this moment came, it clearly linked each warm up act to the play itself, which had at first seemed a little disjointed, creating a calm and satisfying ending.

 

Reviewed by Mimi Monteith

 

All Of Us Want Something To Get Over

Bread & Roses Theatre until 29th February

 

Last ten shows reviewed at this venue:

The Incursion | ★★½ | July 2019

Coco’s Adventures | ★★★ | September 2019

Room Service | ★★★★★ | September 2019

The Bacchae | ★★★ | September 2019

Trial Of Love | ★★★½ | September 2019

By The Light Of The Moon | ★★★★ | October 2019

Smashing It! | ★★ | October 2019

The Gravy Bunch | ★★½ | October 2019

The Signalman | ★★★ | October 2019

Buzzing | ★★★★ | January 2020

 

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