Katre Archives - Page 14 of 24 - thespyinthestalls.com

Napoli, Brooklyn

Park Theatre

Reviewed – 17th June 2019

★★★★

“There is violence, despair and a moment of unrealised revelation, and Blair handles it all with a deft understanding”

This story of an Italian American family in nineteen sixties Brooklyn shines a light on the experiences of first and second generation immigrants, and the struggles faced by the women in particular. It is loosely based on writer Meghan Kennedy’s mother’s adolescence and the life of her big Italian Catholic family. Kennedy wants to honour the voices of girls from families like this who, both in the past and currently, have to fight to be heard. Six of the eight actors on stage are female, putting women’s experiences at the centre of the action.

The Muscolino family live in a Brooklyn tenement, and their story is told through a series of almost cinematic scenes that unveil the lives of the family members. The mother, Luda, brilliantly played by Madeleine Worrall, cooks and cares for her husband Nic and three daughters. But her family are not happy, and she is unable to cry. She can’t even talk to God anymore, as her husband has beaten up their daughter Vita, so she talks to an onion instead. Vita, vividly brought to life by Georgia May Foote, does not regret protecting her younger sister Francesca from their father’s rage, which was triggered by her cutting her hair short, and, although she has no wish to be in the convent she’s been sent to, she can appreciate the peace and calm there; a real contrast to her home life. Tina, the eldest, feels guilty that she didn’t stand up to their father and protect her sister. She is caught in a dead end job, denied schooling to help provide for her family, and Mona Goodwin does a lovely job of portraying her low self esteem and doubts. They are all caught in their own narratives, and those narratives are really all about love.

Francesca is in love with her friend Connie, and they are planning to run away to France. They dance to ‘Bee Bop A Lula.’ pretend to smoke cigarettes and look forward to a life where they can be their true selves. Hannah Bristow’s Francesca is feisty, funny, brave and full of the optimism of youth. Laurie Ogden plays Connie with tenderness and gentle determination, as the girls plan their escape.

Connie’s father is Albert, the local butcher and he is in love with Luda, she clearly likes him too, but she is faithful to her husband, even though he is greatly changed from the man she fell in love with. The two men are complete opposites; Stephen Hogan gives Albert a wistful gentleness that beautifully contrasts with Robert Cavanah’s frighteningly violent Nic. Cavanah’s performance has more than a touch of Marlon Brando about it, and the times when we see the man he used to be are unexpectedly touching.

The final character is Celia, played by Gloria Onitiri, a black woman who works with Tina at the factory. She is a happily married woman who loves reading and Onitiri plays her with spirit. The two women become friends, and when Tina asks Celia ‘how does it feel to be loved’ it brought a tear to my eye.

When a dreadful and completely unexpected tragedy strikes the whole area all their lives are turned upside down.

Napoli, Brooklyn is wonderfully directed by Lisa Blair. There are some standout moments, such as the mesmerisingly tender scene when Francesca and Connie gaze into each other’s eyes and mime undressing. There is violence, despair and a moment of unrealised revelation, and Blair handles it all with a deft understanding. The set, designed by Frankie Bradshaw, is atmospheric and gives a great sense of place and time. Johanna Town and Max Pappenhem created the lighting and sound, adding to the sensory impression of the setting, which was occasionally enhanced by the delicious smell of food.

This is a play that has a firm sense of time and place, but deals with themes that are just as relevant today. Beautifully acted and directed, it is definitely one to see.

Reviewed by Katre

Photography by Marc Brenner

Napoli, Brooklyn

Park Theatre until 13th July

Last ten shows reviewed at this venue:

Peter Pan | ★★★★ | December 2018

Rosenbaum’s Rescue | ★★★★★ | January 2019

The Dame | ★★★★ | January 2019

Gently Down The Stream | ★★★★★ | February 2019

My Dad’s Gap Year | ★★½ | February 2019

The Life I Lead | ★★★ | March 2019

We’re Staying Right Here | ★★★★ | March 2019

Hell Yes I’m Tough Enough | ★★½ | April 2019

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

★★★★

“The strength and beauty of ageing are there, shining through the aching backs and wrinkles, luminous with a shared commitment to truth and dance”

This is not a usual dance show, there are no pyrotechnical leaps or astounding lifts, no point work or athleticism. What there is instead is the astonishing beauty of a group of humans in honest, truthful movement and communication, and it is rather wonderful.

Company of Elders is Sadler’s Wells’ resident over sixties company, founded over twenty years ago. All the dancers are at least sixty, and one lady on stage tonight was ninety years old. They are not professional dancers, and they have varying degrees of dance experience. Some only started dancing in their late sixties. What they all have is an openness and honesty of performance, and a willingness to share stories from their own lives. When someone is totally involved in their movement, really living the dance, the result is magnetic, and this evening felt like a lovely celebration of the beauty and spirit of older bodies and souls.

The first piece was Dare I Speak, choreographed by Alesandra Seutin, with costume by Emma Lyth and lighting design by Anthony Hateley. It is based on the short reign of Patrice Lumumba’s short period as prime minister of the Independent Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the way in which people can be elevated and destroyed by others in a second. The piece flows from Lumumba’s inspiring speech to his downfall as dancers transform from admirers into a frightening crowd. It works well for the company, allowing both group and individual movement to tell the story simply and strongly.

The second work was Natural 2019, a piece that demands courage from each dancer, as they share spoken stories of their lives and weave a sense of themselves with dance and sincerity. It is profoundly moving and great fun; not an easy mix to pull off. But they do it so well. A man speaks of his seven year old self, dancing in the living room with the curtains shut. A woman talks of her memories of Pakistan, and her lost language and fragmented heritage. Another woman tells of her titanium spine and other health issues. There is nostalgia and a sense of things lost, but this is no pity party.

The strength and beauty of ageing are there, shining through the aching backs and wrinkles, luminous with a shared commitment to truth and dance. There is sexuality and cheekiness; a huge sense of play and joy. This is a real company, not simply a group of individuals, and their care of each other shines through. Clara Andermatt’s choreography leaves room for the piece to breathe, and for improvisation. Carlos Ramos’ lighting, adapted by Anthony Hateley, provides a simple, effective backdrop to the stories. It is a powerful piece of work.

Company of Elders performed as part of the Elixir Extracts Festival, a three day programme dedicated to older artists aimed at celebrating lifelong creativity. The festival continues with other senior citizen dance groups from around the UK showcasing their work following an open call-out.

Reviewed by Katre

Photography by Ellie Kurttz

Park Theatre

Reviewed – 17th June 2019

★★★★

“There is violence, despair and a moment of unrealised revelation, and Blair handles it all with a deft understanding”

When a dreadful and completely unexpected tragedy strikes the whole area all their lives are turned upside down.

This is a play that has a firm sense of time and place, but deals with themes that are just as relevant today. Beautifully acted and directed, it is definitely one to see.

Reviewed by Katre

Photography by Marc Brenner

Napoli, Brooklyn

Park Theatre until 13th July

Last ten shows reviewed at this venue:

Lilian Baylis Studio

Reviewed – 14th June 2019

★★★★

“The strength and beauty of ageing are there, shining through the aching backs and wrinkles, luminous with a shared commitment to truth and dance”

This is not a usual dance show, there are no pyrotechnical leaps or astounding lifts, no point work or athleticism. What there is instead is the astonishing beauty of a group of humans in honest, truthful movement and communication, and it is rather wonderful.

Company of Elders performed as part of the Elixir Extracts Festival, a three day programme dedicated to older artists aimed at celebrating lifelong creativity. The festival continues with other senior citizen dance groups from around the UK showcasing their work following an open call-out.

Reviewed by Katre

Photography by Ellie Kurttz

Company of Elders

Lilian Baylis Studio as part of Elixir Extracts Festival

Previously reviewed at this venue: