Craig Sugden Archives - Page 5 of 6 - thespyinthestalls.com

★★★

“Lin Blakley stole the show as Bea Sullivan”

Blue Touch Paper Productions present Jerry Sterner’s 1989 drama-comedy with style and credence as audiences find out what men and women of all shapes, sizes and classes can do with Other People’s Money.

Touching base at a time when America is clawing its way back from the precipice of bankruptcy, we meet a coasting, family-run wire and cable company in New England who are about to have their business acumen and their morality tested by Wall Street tough guy Lawrence Garfinkle, a.k.a. Larry the Liquidator (Rob Locke). Friendly, neighbourhood business owner Andrew Jorgenson (Michael Brandon) and his company manager William Coles (Mark Rose) seek help from Jorgy’s secretary/no nonsense lawyer Kate Sullivan (Amy Burke) when Larry’s interest starts to cost more than smiles and doughnuts.

Director Katherine Farmer and designer Emily Leonard carefully align two contrasting offices opposite each other in traverse staging. The raked seating that straddles the stage allows the audience to spectate, jury-like as Garfinkle and Jorgenson play corporate hard ball on a sneakily camouflaged, faded tennis court flooring. As well as creating a cold, war room atmosphere, the confidently selected set throws into relief the essence of the two armies; the rich versus the poor. The modern, sleek, uncluttered desk of a tycoon facing down the, honest, simple hardwood workstation of a man’s livelihood.

Interestingly, it is easy to tell when the actors enjoy the scenes; Larry and Kate, though initially struggling to find each of their character’s presence on stage, give us a fun flavour of their chemistry together in the later scenes. However, the writing is wordy and difficult to navigate if you do not have a calculator for a brain or actors who liven up the figures.

Lin Blakley stole the show as Bea Sullivan, Jorgy’s steadfast secretary with a shining soul. Through her candid, controlled performance the audience are able to access the heart and true value of what family can mean in a company like theirs. Her relatable characterisation marries comedic timing and fierce emotion so easily making her a pleasure to watch and a home comfort to hold onto in the world of money madness.

This production successfully leads us to believe that the corporate world is killer, which begs the question: is it even possible for good people to do good business?

Reviewed by Vivienne King

Photography by Craig Sugden

Box Clever

The Bunker

Reviewed – 28th March 2019

★★★★★

“a realistic insight into an unpleasant world of abuse and despair”

Since opening in 2016 the Bunker Theatre has remained true to the initial objective of being home to exhilarating and contemporary theatre, representing the world in which we live. The current season, announced as revolutionary from new artistic director Chris Sonnex, features a double bill of one-woman shows – namely Killymuck and Box Clever. Whilst each show can be seen individually on separate dates, watching both the same day is recommended, as whilst very different, together they have a connection of putting female benefits-class and working-class voices forward.

Box Clever written by Monsay Whitney tells the story of Marnie a young single mother and highlights the problems of getting into a circle of abuse, homelessness and despair. Using the same Minglu Wang set and production team as Killymuck (less the centre soil), Box Clever takes the viewer through a diverse set of emotions as Marnie’s life spirals downwards over a ten year period. It begins as extremely funny and yet as the play progresses it becomes heartbreakingly sad.

Marnie is brilliantly portrayed by Redd Lily Roche who enters the stage in white jeans and t-shirt stained with blood. She has a violent off stage boyfriend, Liam – the blood likely being from his violent behaviour towards her. Other males in her life are unpleasant towards her too.

When Marnie is telling the stories of her boyfriends and others she comes in contact with, the dialogue is exceptionally funny. One could almost imagine the character and stories being picked up by a TV producer and being a successful late evening show. Her interaction with boyfriends, her key worker and mum are all very cleverly written and fun to watch.

However as the play progresses and she goes to live at a Women’s Refuge the text becomes darker and more sinister. It is clear that she is not in the safe place she expected. Her four year old daughter is represented by a white balloon that Roche brings to life with her caring attitude to do the best for her. Her interactions with her daughter are totally believable.

The direction from Stef O’Driscoll is perfect, Joe Price’s lighting supports the drama and Benjamin Grant’s sound design underlines the tension. This piece more than anything else I have seen this year had an immediate and profound effect on me. I left the theatre inspired by the performance from Redd Lily Roche who gave a realistic insight into an unpleasant world of abuse and despair. It is an unmissable show – well done to W14 Productions and The Bunker for bringing it to a London audience.

Southwark Playhouse

Reviewed – 23rd April 2019

★★★

“Lin Blakley stole the show as Bea Sullivan”

Blue Touch Paper Productions present Jerry Sterner’s 1989 drama-comedy with style and credence as audiences find out what men and women of all shapes, sizes and classes can do with Other People’s Money.

This production successfully leads us to believe that the corporate world is killer, which begs the question: is it even possible for good people to do good business?

Reviewed by Vivienne King

Photography by Craig Sugden

Other People’s Money

Southwark Playhouse until 11th May

Last ten shows reviewed at this venue:

The Bunker

Reviewed – 28th March 2019

★★★★★

“a realistic insight into an unpleasant world of abuse and despair”

Marnie is brilliantly portrayed by Redd Lily Roche who enters the stage in white jeans and t-shirt stained with blood. She has a violent off stage boyfriend, Liam – the blood likely being from his violent behaviour towards her. Other males in her life are unpleasant towards her too.

Reviewed by Steve Sparrow

Photography by Craig Sugden

Box Clever

The Bunker until 13th April

Last ten shows reviewed at this venue: