★★★★

“a packed, intense, and thought-provoking eighty minutes which will leave you shocked and concerned in equal measure”

Jermyn Street Theatre and DONOTALIGHT present this co-production of a new play by Gen Z writer Flora Wilson Brown.

On a near bare stage, three scenes are acted out in rotation – cyclical duologues but miniature plays in their own right: Eunice (Sabrina Wu) is a nineteenth century New York scientist struggling to break through the glass ceiling. Husband John provides moral support but betrays his own inherent prejudices. As Eunice works tirelessly to make her voice heard, neglecting her home and her children, she is afflicted with a disturbing recurring dream, as horrifying as it is inexplicable. Scene two is set slightly in the future. Claire (Martha Watson Allpress) and Dan are environmental lobbyists taking their first steps into romance until climate-change tragedy strikes. And the third scenario, set a generation into the future, is a post-apocalyptic world in which biological researchers Ana (Pepter Lunkuse) and Malcolm are trapped by unprecedented rainstorms in the wilds of Svardbard. An inspired touch is that the man in each scene is played by the same versatile actor (George Fletcher). Conversations segue between the three zones as he morphs from one character to the next, a subtle change in vocal tone and accent signifying the change.

The four actors remain on stage primarily the whole time. There is little movement – some occasional eerie slow pacing – but in the tiny confines of this space that is all to the good (Harry Tennison director). Flora Wilson Brown attempts a realistic depiction of conversation – sentences aren’t finished, couples speak over each other – which is most successful in the scene closest to our own time. The whole ensemble is first rate, quickly paced, and the succinct writing keeps us on our toes as we listen out for well-placed clues as to backstory and goings-on elsewhere.

There is a poignancy in the final scenes as the loan male leaves the action to allow the final words to be heard solely from the voices of the women. Eunice and Claire unite in their descriptions of the desecration caused by climate change whilst Ana projects the hope for the future through her unborn child and the literal green shoots in the seeds she has nurtured.

Despite the play’s optimistic title and its many moments of humour this is not a cheery piece. It’s a packed, intense, and thought-provoking eighty minutes which will leave you shocked and concerned in equal measure.

THE FROGS at the Royal and Derngate Theatre

★★½

“There’s some good and not-so-good slapstick, physical theatre and an all-round quirkiness.”

Spymonkey set out to update Aristophanes’ three-thousand-year-old play – historically, the first staged comedy and use of a comedic double act – and make it relevant to today. They have poignant reasons to do so and these are reflected in a sub-plot that runs parallel to the original. The new version is written by Karl Grose and Spymonkey “with massive apologies to Aristophanes” and is directed by Joyce Henderson.

The stage is set with an array of boxes and crates and paraphernalia. A revolve is set off-centre which is used primarily for comedic effect. A circular mirror is suspended from above, upon which an impressive moon image is occasionally projected (Lucy Bradridge, set & costume designer).

Spymonkey regulars Toby Park and Aitor Basauri are semi-god Dionysus (sporting a fine pair of Cothornos platform sandals – a nice touch) and servant Xanthias who undergo a trip to the Underworld to recover the poet Euripides. To help them on their way, they receive advice from hero Heracles (Jacoba Williams in a fetching muscled body suit with male accoutrements). So far so good, but then our heroes fall into “a scene between the scenes” and find themselves squeezed into a cupboard – the Spymonkey office – and from now on as they continue their interminable journey they slip in and out of their Greek characters and into a character-version of themselves. Jacoba takes on a variety of tentacled, flippered and multi-headed creatures for the heroes to overcome whilst doubling in the here-and-now as an American theatre impresario interested in producing the new show. The whole thing is very meta. But it’s also rather a mess.

Of course, there are laughs a plenty. Aitor is an exceptional clown and, as the Spymonkey dynamic duo establish themselves, he proves himself an able Lou Costello to Toby’s Bud Abbott. But there is too much: the running gag of Aitor’s ass (hee-haw), knowing winks to the audience, asides, adlibs. There’s some good and not-so-good slapstick, physical theatre and an all-round quirkiness. Jacoba tells us that the whole thing is as mad as a box of… well, you know… just as the plot dissolves into a psychedelic acid trip.

Spymonkey themselves mock the length and tedium of Aristophanes’ original monologues and character-Aitor tells us several times that he doesn’t like the ending of the play because it isn’t funny. It’s not a good omen for the second half.

Worthy of mention is the community chorus – the highlight of the show – who techno-tap-dance across the stage in fluorescent yellow cagoules as the frog chorus (Simone Murphy, choreographer). It’s a shame that this happens only the once but then Aristophanes set the precedent for that. Ribbit.

Tag Archives: Phillip Money

THE BEAUTIFUL FUTURE IS COMING

★★★★

Jermyn Street Theatre

THE BEAUTIFUL FUTURE IS COMING at Jermyn Street Theatre

★★★★

“a packed, intense, and thought-provoking eighty minutes which will leave you shocked and concerned in equal measure”

THE BEAUTIFUL FUTURE IS COMING at Jermyn Street Theatre

Reviewed on 31st January 2024

by Phillip Money

Photography by Jack Sain

Previously reviewed at this venue:

OWNERS | ★★★½ | October 2023

INFAMOUS | ★★★★ | September 2023

SPIRAL | ★★ | August 2023

FARM HALL | ★★★★ | March 2023

LOVE ALL | ★★★★ | September 2022

CANCELLING SOCRATES | ★★★★ | June 2022

ORLANDO | ★★★★ | May 2022

FOOTFALLS AND ROCKABY | ★★★★★ | November 2021

THE BEAUTIFUL FUTURE IS COMING

THE BEAUTIFUL FUTURE IS COMING

Click here to see our Recommended Shows page

THE FROGS

★★ ½

Royal and Derngate Theatre

THE FROGS at the Royal and Derngate Theatre

★★½

“There’s some good and not-so-good slapstick, physical theatre and an all-round quirkiness.”