“simply not enough context or exploration of what the information told us”
A quaint venue on the side streets of Clapham with a lively bar for a Tuesday evening, the Bread and Roses Theatre hosted Constance & Eva by Kimberly Campanello. A story focused on two privileged sisters during the early 20th century who through political activism and passion for women’s rights became infamous in their time.
This was a well researched piece and the audience was provided with a lot of information. Arguably too much to take in. The set was simple and effective and separated the two sisters as per their story. The use of projected videos highlighted the relevance of their story to both political issues of the time, and current issues surrounding Trump, walls, borders, immigration, women’s rights and equality that are still causing debate and are reported in the media daily.
Unfortunately the depth of information was let down by the performance. The script was bleak and unforgiving. Watching actors press play on a tape recorder, listening to voice overs and watching projections occupied the majority of the audience’s time, which, in this less than 60 minute piece, was a substantial amount.
I was particularly disappointed by the depiction of Eva (Hannah Berry) on a march campaigning for women’s rights. Sat on the front row I expected to be blown away by the, albeit old school, megaphone. In fact the actor showed little passion and I felt did not do their well researched protagonist any justice.
Constance’s performance (Charlotte Gallagher) was a little more promising and her monologue was certainly passionate. However throughout there was simply not enough context or exploration of what the information told us. The story. Who they were. What they did. We found this out through fact and voice over, not through depiction of the two sisters stood before us.
The avant garde elements whereby the actors introduced themselves at the beginning and showed images of them in various costumes depicting Eva and Constance was amusing and provided hope for the piece. Unfortunately with little movement within the text, voice or stage, this performance was a struggle to watch.
I’ve awarded two stars due to the in-depth research this production received, and the clear passion for the topic by the company. It’s a real shame this was not reflected in the final product.
Reviewed by Lucy Marsh
CONSTANCE AND EVA
is at the Bread & Roses Theatre until 27th September
“touches on many themes … in a witty and provocative way”
Award winning playwright Ron Elisha, in collaboration with theatre company Another Soup, has brought his new play to the Bread and Roses Theatre. Directed by Dave Spencer, Window revolves around Jimmy and Grace, a young couple in their late twenties who notice some activity in their neighbour’s bedroom which dramatically affects their lives forever. Window is a rather honest portrayal of domestic family life and how the unexpected can alter their seemingly comfortable and happy relationship.
As the audience enter, Jimmy, played by Charles Warner, is in bed with his iPad. After a few minutes Grace, played by Idgie Beau, enters and both characters playfully flirt with each other in bed. Grace soon notices something from their neighbour’s bedroom; something that perhaps she shouldn’t have seen, but she’s transfixed. Over the course of the play she becomes more and more obsessed with what she has seen and this soon becomes a problem. It is clear that the two actors, Warner and Beau, have a good dynamic which carries the show. Beau in particular plays Grace effectively, displaying her character slowly descending into obsession over what she’s seen from the window and this is displayed well by her sudden erratic movements and emotion which turns from curiosity to hysteria.
The set is minimal but effective, with the entire play taking place in one location: Grace and Jimmy’s bedroom. This intimate setting echoes the voyeuristic theme of the play, which, of course, includes the audience watching the actors who in turn are watching their neighbours. The fact that there is no set change allows the play to flow easily with the actors going into each scene smoothly and efficiently.
Although the premise of the story was interesting, the show seemed a little too repetitive and almost became mundane for the audience. After an hour and a half of the couple looking out of the window, with very little resolution at the end, it was hard to remain engaged. The couple watch from their window endlessly, scene after scene, as they discuss their relationship, infidelity and their daughter Carmen. It all became rather tedious. In addition, the characters seem to be stereotypes of their gender. Jimmy is the confident, calm and logical of the two, whereas Grace becomes neurotic, emotional and hysterical as the play goes on. This is perhaps rather obvious characterisation; perhaps if Spencer had subverted the gender stereotypes, with Jimmy gradually becoming neurotic and Grace caring for him in a calm and logical manner it may have been more interesting.
Overall, the play is an exploration into voyeurism and domesticity through the life of a young couple. Elisha’s writing touches on many themes such as the use of technology, mental illness and relationships in a witty and provocative way. Both Warner and Beau presented this well. However, the repetitive nature of the show became predictable and finally lacking a clear resolution.
Reviewed by Holly Barnard
Photography by Greg Goodale
WINDOW
is at The Bread & Roses Theatre until 16th September
