Tag Archives: Holly Bond

FFS! (A Feminist Fable Series)
★★★★

The Space

FFS! (A Feminist Fable Series)

FFS! (A Feminist Fable Series)

The Space

Reviewed – 6th March 2019

★★★★

 

“All three pieces are written with wit, nuance and understanding”

 

With International Women’s Day just around the corner, the question remains: how do we deal with the problems facing women today? How do we tackle everyday sexism, unspoken fears and societal pressures? Wonderbox have the answer – to discuss them frankly and honestly whilst also finding the funny side. And that’s exactly what every piece in their show Feminist Fable Series does.

The first piece, StilettNO!, tackles workplace double standards. Jac (Carla Garratt) is an office temp whose boss, Jack (Jack Westgate), tells her that female employees are required to wear heels. For some reason, Jac objects. ‘Why?’ Jack wonders. Luckily, the narrator (Danica Corns) is on hand to guide the bewildered Jack through this difficult situation. Corns’ gently acerbic narration is the highlight of this play, which is well-written if a little abrupt in its ending.

The Night is without question the funniest of the three. Jessica (Corns), Gemma (Garratt), and Liz (Alice Merivale) need to get home after a house party. Walk? No way. Night bus? Not after last time. Taxi? Didn’t know you were up for getting kidnapped. As the girls figure out what to do, their conversation moves beyond the problem with men and onto their problems with each other. The three actors have great chemistry; they are a very recognisable group of friends in a sadly relatable situation. Merivale deserves special mention for her fantastic performance as ‘sexless punchbag for Ofsted’ Liz, a primary school teacher who just wants to let go.

Sixth formers Stacey (Corns) and Harri (Garratt) are the focus of Category: Teen. Stacey has a boyfriend, Luke (Westgate), whose obsession with porn means he’s always up for sex. Which is great… except it’s only him that enjoys it. Harri wants a girlfriend, but is too shy to approach her crush. She could try and get sexual fulfilment through lesbian porn. Which would be great… except it seems that it isn’t actually for lesbians. The two friends must navigate these problems together – but how? This is by far the most complex and intriguing piece from FFS! Not only does it show pornography’s effects on young women, it also examines its impact on male behaviour and self-esteem. The sensitive acting of the ensemble is particularly striking. They carefully balance the light and serious moments, leading to a satisfying and heart-warming conclusion.

All three pieces are written with wit, nuance and understanding by Claire Rammelkemp, with Holly Bond as co-writer for The Night. The ensemble bring their words to life brilliantly, making the debates feel real and relevant. As a production it is a little clunky: set changes take quite a long time, and the use of large tables and chairs seems a little impractical. This does pay off for The Night, however, which set in a bathroom full of little details and surprises.

FFS! is the perfect response to female frustration: speak up, share your stories and, most importantly, find the humour in everything. Claire Rammelkemp was right. Feminists are hilarious.

 

Reviewed by Harriet Corke

Photography by Bethany Blake

 


FFS! (A Feminist Fable Series)

The Space until 9th March

 

Last ten shows reviewed at this venue:
Fleeced | | September 2018
Little Pieces of Gold | ★★★★★ | October 2018
Love is a Work In Progress | ★★★★ | October 2018
The Full Bronte | ★★★ | October 2018
Woman of the Year | ★★★ | October 2018
Little Women | ★★★½ | December 2018
Brawn | ★★★ | January 2019
Laundry | ★★★ | January 2019
The Dip | ★★★★ | February 2019
The South Afreakins | ★★★★★ | February 2019

 

Click here to see more of our latest reviews on thespyinthestalls.com

 

Review of A Womb of One’s Own – 3 Stars

Womb

A Womb of One’s Own

The Space

Reviewed – 16th August 2017

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

 

“Carla Garratt shone throughout”

 

 

This fresh-faced company of actors, straight out of the National Youth Theatre are a marvellous inspiration for aspiring actors and women.

Womb

A Womb of One’s Own is a new piece of writing (Claire Rammelkamp) that will attract a young audience with its themes of coming of age, sex and sexuality, and abortion. Plugging key facts such as ‘1 in 3 women in the UK have abortions’, and asking questions like ‘Where are all the abortion clinics?’ and ‘Why isn’t anyone talking about this?’, the writing touches on some challenging topics with enthusiastic actors showing us how young women’s sexual health can be side-lined by society.

The writing did ebb and flow in places, and a few misplaced moments of comedy and awkwardness sometimes made for an unsure audience.

Nerves did appear to get the better of a couple of this youthful bunch, and a few lines were lost to over enthusiasm and a quick pace, but Carla Garratt shone throughout and gave the most consistent performance.

Womb

The venue (The Space on the Isle of Dogs) is an intimate one and the bubbly cafe attached gave it some good vibes which were fitting for the piece. The lighting and set (Olivia Early) were basic yet effective.

Overall a great production with a few hiccups owing to nerves and writing. At 60 minutes it was a fast paced piece in which a little too much was packed in a little too tightly. Overall 3 stars for these up and coming artists.

 

Reviewed by Lucy Marsh

 

A WOMB OF ONE’S OWN

is at The Space until 19th August

 

 

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