Tag Archives: Jessica Potts

DON’T. MAKE. TEA.

★★★★★

Soho Theatre

DON’T. MAKE. TEA. at the Soho Theatre

★★★★★

“a bold, razor-sharp comedy about what it really means to test someone”

Don’t. Make. Tea. is a dystopian satirical comedy set in 2037 directed by Robert Softley Gale and written by Rob Drummond. We meet Christine Dunlop (Gillian Dean) an ex-copper with OPMD who is losing her eyesight and mobility. As per the policy of “Accessible Britain”, she is being assessed on her disability benefits. Chris now finds herself the subject of interrogation in a Kafkaesque appointment with the sweet but sickly assessor Ralph (Neil John Gibson). The first part of the play focuses on establishing the premise of the assessment and takes it time exploring Chris’ life and her situation. Humour is squeezed out of the interview as she tries to navigate the questionnaire and lie detector with the sad realities of the present dominating the conversation. She is forced to perform the most horrible use of ‘heads, shoulders, knees and toes’ to date before a hugely climactic twist closes the first act.

The show makes an impressive use of tech and accessibility devices. It is audio-described by Able (Richard Conlon), a cross between ‘Siri’ and ‘Hal 9000’ who aids Chris but also spies on her. He delivers diegetic commentary throughout with wit and charm “Ralph looks like he’s had a hard life”. On the screen (provided by Chris’ accessibility benefits) is a sign language interpreter who translates the characters’ speech. The second act sees Chris experience hallucinations. Able, now embodied as her doting neighbour, and the BSL interpreter resembling Chris’ mother Francis (Emery Hunter), assist Chris in her predicament. We later meet Ralph’s supervisor and spouse, Jude (Nicola Chegwin), an oppositional and flawed woman who uses a wheelchair and is the creator of the ‘Work Pays’ system.

The set (Kenneth MacLeod) depicts a “tidy but tasteless” flat, as described by Able. Light blue details subtly depict the reach of “Accessible Britain”; the large screen, ‘Able’ speaker, the electrical outlets and even the front door button- which could all be taken away as a result of the assessment. Ralph’s assessment tools also painted the same clinical ‘NHS’ blue. The set is not all that it seems, with some fun surprises included. Lighting serves to accentuate the emotional state of Chris with vibrant colours (Grant Anderson) and spotlights. The screens sell the futuristic setting and add high quality effects (Jamie MacDonald).

Drummond uses a theoretically perfect future to highlight the problems of today whilst utilising accessibility features in an original and comical execution to a riveting premise. The characters are all as flawed as the systems they support and fight – with exception to Able and Francis, who make a great double act. Laughs originate from pithy observations and well-crafted gags equally. The midway turn in tone elevates the piece from satirical drama into absurd unpredictable thriller. By the end, the audience is left with the sobering note of the lengths Chris is forced to go. Don’t. Make. Tea is a bold, razor-sharp comedy about what it really means to test someone.


DON’T. MAKE. TEA. at the Soho Theatre

Reviewed on 27th March 2024

by Jessica Potts

Photography by Andy Catlin

 

 

 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

PUDDLES PITY PARTY | ★★ | March 2024
LUCY AND FRIENDS | ★★★★★ | February 2024
AMUSEMENTS | ★★★★ | February 2024
WISH YOU WEREN’T HERE | ★★★ | February 2024
REPARATIONS | ★★★ | February 2024
SELF-RAISING | ★★★★★ | February 2024
FLIP! | ★★★★ | November 2023
BOY PARTS | ★★★★ | October 2023
BROWN BOYS SWIM | ★★★½ | October 2023
STRATEGIC LOVE PLAY | ★★★★★ | September 2023
KATE | ★★★★★ | September 2023
EVE: ALL ABOUT HER | ★★★★★ | August 2023

DON’T MAKE TEA

DON’T MAKE TEA

Click here to see our Recommended Shows page

 

PRISCILLA THE PARTY!

★★★★★

HERE at Outernet

PRISCILLA THE PARTY! at HERE at Outernet

★★★★★

“An incredible night out.”

“Priscilla The Party” is joyous, tremendous musical fun. Based on the 1994 Academy Award winner “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”, “Priscilla the Party” hails from Australia in 2006. It is a rip-roaring celebration of drag, queerness and camp musical theatre. Each scene is calibrated towards entertainment and intrigue from the start. The story follows ‘Tick’ (Owain Williams) as he travels across Australia to reach his wife (Kimberly Blake) and his child (a stooge) as part of a fabulous trio of drag queens travelling in a bus they christen “Priscilla”. Adam (Reece Kerridge) and Bernadette (Dakota Starr) accompany Tick as he travels throughout Australia battling homophobia, transphobia, making allies, and delivering hit after hit. The show is an immersive experience (developed and directed by Simon Phillips), with staging and actors moving throughout the crowd on the dancefloor. The set (Brian Thomson and Justin Nardella) and direction make great use of the atmosphere of a club with an impressive line up of dance hits from “Say a Little Prayer” to “Born This Way”. A tale of love, adversity and Aussie humour shines with amazing theatrical gravitas throughout.

Every cast member performs with outstanding energy, delivering a varied set of pop/dance songs in a jukebox musical for the ages. The quality of musical performance is high with remarkable talent on display throughout as Queens deliver ballads and romps with equal intensity and stage presence. Beautiful vocals draw us into the story and relay the emotions of the characters. The band are brilliant and you can tell they know they have the best gig in town (Musical Arrangements and Orchestration Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy). The stage management team work tirelessly to coordinate movement of stages as they weave throughout the crowd. The sound design (Ben Harrison) includes familiar hits, punctuated by topical music in the breaks that ensure a continuation of the party. The multi-media venue makes use of video backgrounds (also Thompson and Nardella) and vibrant club lighting (Per Hörding). The show includes all the best parts of a drag show with all the precision and thought of a well-crafted musical (Musical arrangements and direction Steve Geere). A highlight are the fantastic costumes (Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner) and wigs, delivering camp, classic and heightened drag in the best possible way.

Seated dining experiences are available, though dance floor tickets make up the bulk of audience members who get to join in the concert-like drag-show-esque party atmosphere. “Priscilla the Party” is stunningly unique and totally immersive, taking the audience on a hugely enjoyable road trip through Australia whilst delivering one spectacular party en route. The close to three hours playing time flies by as the colourful scenes progress in and around the gloriously camp ‘Cockatoo Club’. Arrive early to enjoy the full experience, as there are superb opening acts to enjoy. With drag queens and musical actors combining their strengths, “Priscilla The Party” makes for an incredible night out.


PRISCILLA THE PARTY! at HERE at Outernet

Reviewed on 24th March 2024

by Jessica Potts

Photography by Marc Brenner

 

 

 

 

Recently reviewed by Jessica:

HOSTAGE | ★★★★ | Etcetera Theatre | March 2024
APRICOT | ★★★★ | Theatre503 | March 2024
SARAH QUAND MÊME | | Drayton Arms | February 2024
AMUSEMENTS | ★★★★ | Soho Theatre | February 2024
WISH YOU WEREN’T HERE | ★★★ | Soho Theatre | February 2024
TWO ROUNDS | ★★★ | Jermyn Street Theatre | February 2024

PRISCILLA THE PARTY!

PRISCILLA THE PARTY!

Click here to see our Recommended Shows page