Tag Archives: Black Cat Theatre

The Millennials: Battle of Perspectives
★★½

Pleasance Theatre

The Millennials

The Millennials: Battle of Perspectives

Pleasance Theatre

Reviewed – 20th May 2019

★★½

 

“there were a lot of good ideas in the making, but the execution missed the mark”

 

The term ‘millennial’ conjures up so many stereotypes – tech-obsessed, avocados instead of houses, supposed disillusionment with capitalist consumerism whilst still lusting after Yeezy trainers and the latest iPhone. Regardless, this is an entire generation, the first to grow up with the internet, social media, ubiquitous advertising, and the free market. They have a lot to say, and ‘Black Cat Theatre’ wants to give them the platform to say it.

Jon Long, our ‘host’ for the evening, potters on to the stage to his own announcement of himself, with a tiny guitar and lovely little ditty about what not to recycle (dead cats, dildos, grenades, more dildos). I say ‘host’ because whilst this is how he’s introduced to us, this is his only stage time all evening. Nevertheless, he successfully warms the crowd, and we’re ready and waiting for an evening of equally endearing and engaging acts.

The set is left behind from a zombie/haunted house show – a skeleton in a wig lays conspicuously along a staircase – but after a while, you quite forget and the few props used for each sketch override the wonky walls and boarded-up windows.

The sketches themselves feel a little amateur. Of course, they’re all works in progress so we’re not expecting anything too polished, but perhaps a little exploration would be nice. The opening act for example, ‘When Mum Swipes Right’ (Thomas J. Misuraca) is about a son (Alex Di Cuffa) walking in on his mum (Gillian King) enjoying a Tinder ‘hook-up’ (Ross Townsend Green), but that’s pretty much the whole sketch explained – the content only goes as far as to explain the pitch.

There are some ideas that, given a little more time, might progress to something of more interest- ‘Pucker Up’ (Sam Rogg), for example, discusses the daily struggle of women’s contraception. The subject is compelling and often left unremarked upon, and there’s room for a lot of comedy, but the sketch itself felt very educational – as though it might be touring a secondary school (not a bad idea, mind.)

One sketch did buck the trend, presenting a satire of a woman’s attempt to succeed in our current climate. ‘Some Necessary Measures’ (Rebekah King) sees Kosha Engler attempt to get to the top floor of a building, but on every floor, she must stop and check in with a new concierge (Mike Archer) who requires more and more absurd sacrifices on her part in order to allow her to proceed. Whilst it did feel a little on the nose, the comic timing was brilliant, and the story well told.

All in all there were a lot of good ideas in the making, but the execution missed the mark. Devorah Wilde and Alex Di Cuffa, the pair behind ‘Black Cat Theatre’ have done well in providing a platform for new ideas, but, cruel as it sounds, they’re perhaps a little too encouraging where they might be more discerning.

 

Reviewed by Miriam Sallon

 


The Millennials: Battle of Perspectives

Pleasance Theatre

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:
Spiked | ★★★★ | April 2018
A Gym Thing | ★★★★ | May 2018
Bingo | ★★★ | June 2018
Aid Memoir | ★★★ | October 2018
One Duck Down | ★★★★★ | October 2018
The Archive of Educated Hearts | ★★★★ | October 2018
Call Me Vicky | ★★★ | February 2019
Neck Or Nothing | ★★★★ | April 2019
Night Of The Living Dead Live | ★★★ | April 2019
Don’t Look Away | ★★★½ | May 2019

 

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Review of The Millennials – 3 Stars

Millennials

The Millennials

Southwark Playhouse

Reviewed – 3rd December 2017

★★★

“a great variety of work on offer”

 

Black Cat Theatre offered up an assortment of Christmas themed treats in their Millennials showcase. Charting the perils of boozing, bedding, family values and other tortures there was a great variety of work on offer.

As with all shows of this nature, it was a bit of a mixed bag. There were some real gems – notably “Christmas Time, Mistletoe and Whine” by Rhiannon Owens and “NPBD” (No Porn before Dawn) by Alexandria MacLeod. Owens’ piece was warm and funny, with some stinging observations on millennial life, while MacLeod showcased some cutting, yet hilarious insights into man’s relationship with porn. My favourite piece of the evening was Jack Gogarty & Joe Morrow’s ‘A Look at Bedtime’, a romantic yet unsentimental and witty tale of two new fathers. Performed by the writers, this is clearly a partnership to keep an eye out for. However some of the other pieces felt clunky and uneven. “Lonely this Christmas” had heart but the script was uncoordinated, saved by the strength of Abby Wilson and Alex Di Cuffa’s touching performances. There was also the macabre “Season’s Greetings”, that while energetically performed, seemed to lose sight of its own story.

The entire evening was elevated by some lively performances. Lauren Cooney was an exciting blast of energy in the second half, while Rob Leach was a loveable slob. Devora Wilde and Jonathan Jude in “After” elevated what was an overly verbose post break up conflict, into a gripping, sexy and very funny showdown. Olivia Thompson was a spirited start to the show and Max Cavenham lifted the opening of the second half. The night was far from perfect, but with shows like this, a certain element of the rough and ready is to be expected and across the board, the cast did themselves proud.

My main concern about the evening wasn’t so much in the content, more in the concept. For a Christmas themed showcase entitled Millennials, there was little consistency in the pieces. Not all reflected millennial issues, nor were written by millennial writers. There was (and granted this was not deliberate), a notable lack of diversity in the performers and crew. I think this is an exciting and talented young company, but I don’t know what their agenda is or the type of theatre that they want to represent. I would love to see them find a stronger tone of voice because I think once they decide upon their identity, they could accomplish great work. I will certainly be keeping them on my radar.

 

Reviewed for thespyinthestalls.com

 

The Millennials

was at the Southwark Playhouse

 

 

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