Tag Archives: Keith Bunin

The Unbuilt City – 3 Stars

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Unbuilt

The Unbuilt City

King’s Head Theatre

Reviewed – 8th June 2018

★★★

“The set remains simple and undistracting from the performers’ discussion of love and life”

 

Jonah (Jonathan Chambers) has already arrived in the chilly Brooklyn Heights townhouse of Claudia (Sandra Dickinson), and is in full charm mode as he attempts to elicit stories of her privileged upbringing and her wealthy sponsorships of artists and poets and other creative people she’s ‘collected’ throughout her life. He is here as a representative of a university which is extremely interested in some work Claudia is rumoured to own. He’s hoping to convince her to allow him to at least view her private art collection so he can try to persuade her to sell it, and then use the money he earns to allow him the freedom to write and live the life he wants.

Right now, as she drifts towards old age, Claudia seems at her most likely to part with her treasures, so evoking nostalgia seems the perfect method to strike a deal. But Claudia hasn’t survived the last few decades by being naive or easily charmed, her enigmatic past may reveal secrets, but her price will include Jonah surrendering many of his own. It’s never quite certain if the sharing of life stories and intimate anecdotes are meant to level the field of negotiations, or create some sort of friendship, but the mutual appreciation falters on more than one occasion despite the whiskey.

This is the European premiere of Keith Bunin’s play and both actors strongly bring his work to life being both confident and convincing onstage. I enjoy the way sassy Claudia can switch between a total lack of regret over events long ago and a more defensive tone regarding other past decisions. The set remains simple and undistracting from the performers’ discussion of love and life in New York. Their affection for the city itself is a small bond, and some of what is symbolises is true of all cities and should strike a note with Londoners.

The show is a ninety minute conversation that the audience is privy to. Both interviewer and interviewee make us laugh and ponder, and piece together two very different lives. Worth a watch.

 

Reviewed by Joanna Hinson

Photography by PND Photography

 


The Unbuilt City

King’s Head Theatre until 30th June

 

Related
Previously reviewed featuring Sandra Dickinson
I Loved Lucy | ★★★★ | Arts Theatre | July 2018

 

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Hushed

The Busy World is Hushed

Finborough Theatre

Reviewed – 10th October 2017

⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

“Oxley’s nuanced and passionate performance makes it hard to take your eyes off him”

 

 

Family and faith collide in The Busy World is Hushed. Set in present day New York, this European premiere of Keith Bunin’s off-Broadway play sees three people searching for consolation down self destructive paths.

This is an excellent play, performed by a strong cast. Unfortunately this production fumbles. Too often technicalities overshadow plot details. There are serious pacing issues throughout – the first half felt particularly clumsy – and while impressive, none of the cast seemed comfortable in the set. The direction (Paul Higgins) appears to be working against them, creating uncomfortable distances.

Despite that the cast do some impressive work. Michael James’ Thomas saves the first half with his energy and charm, upping the stakes every time he comes on stage. The connection between him and Mateo Oxley’s Brandt is immediately palpable and allows the second half to really gain some emotional momentum as it careers into the final act. But it’s Oxley who stands out in the second half. As Brandt struggles to hold himself together, Oxley’s nuanced and passionate performance makes it hard to take your eyes off him and it’s his strength in the face of heartbreak that really lands a punch with the audience. As Hannah, Kazia Pelka has the warmth and clarity of a woman powered by faith, but she suffers most in terms of staging, and at times seems lost on stage.

There are some really fantastic elements in this production and the ending certainly delivers. However, (at the moment) it’s a nervous production and the insecurity on stage doesn’t allow the audience to relax and enjoy the story.

 

Reviewed for thespyinthestalls.com

Photography by Scott Rylander

 

 

THE BUSY WORLD IS HUSHED

is at The Finborough Theatre until 25th November

 

 

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