Tag Archives: Pippin

The Only Thing a Great Actress Needs
★★★

Arcola Theatre

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The Only Thing a Great Actress Needs

The Only Thing a Great Actress Needs is a Great Play and the Desire to Succeed

Arcola Theatre

Reviewed – 22nd July 2019

★★★

 

“a hilarious, poignant, confronting and insightful watch”

 

Based on Jean Genet’s ‘The Maids’ CASA, London’s Festival of Latin American Arts presents the award winning play, ‘The Only Thing A Great Actress Needs Is A Desire To Succeed’, by the Mexican based theatre company Vaca 35.

This multi award winning play brings to light the sobering reality of life in servitude for marginalised women. In your face, loud and adventurous, this production interacts with the audience via multiple senses: sound, sight, smell and even touch (if you’re close enough) making it an incredibly visceral and tangible experience.

Directed by Damián Cervantes with actresses Diana Magallón and Maricarmen Ruíz playing the maids, Vaca 35 created an intimacy that felt as though we were voyeurs spying through the key hole of the servant’s quarters; witnessing the inner machinations of stir crazy serfs. It made for a hilarious, poignant, confronting and insightful watch. The play centres on the combative yet tender, co-dependent relationship between two women who manage the mundanity of their daily lives through fantasy and the monotony of chores. Staged in the unconventional space of the Arcola dressing room, the tiny arena all the more, heightened the claustrophobic, repetitive routine these maids partake in to generate a more bearable existence.

Without forcefully doing so, this play invites audiences to step into the shoes of another culture, country and lifestyle and still feel at home. This is why theatre is so powerful. Divisive assumptions are gently dismantled when a production, such as this, illuminates how similar we all are via our quirky and relatable idiosyncrasies.

It is incredible to believe that Vaca 35 have performed this play 297 times and by the end of this week they will surpass 300 performances. With such high octane energy and intensity, it boggles the mind to imagine how these actresses maintain such a fresh and vibrant portrayal each night. It’s well worth it though and their, obvious, desire to succeed has most certainly paid off.

 

Reviewed by Pippin

Photography by David Monteith-Hodge

 

CASA

The Only Thing a Great Actress Needs is a Great Play and the Desire to Succeed

Arcola Theatre until 26th July as part of the CASA Festival 2019

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:
Greek | ★★★★ | August 2018
Forgotten | ★★★ | October 2018
Mrs Dalloway | ★★★★ | October 2018
A Hero of our Time | ★★★★★ | November 2018
Stop and Search | ★★ | January 2019
The Daughter-In-Law | ★★★★★ | January 2019
Little Miss Sunshine | ★★★★★ | April 2019
The Glass Menagerie | ★★★★ | May 2019
Radio | ★★★★ | June 2019
Riot Act | ★★★★★ | June 2019

 

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Giffords Circus – Xanadu
★★★★

Chiswick House & Gardens

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Giffords Circus

Giffords Circus – Xanadu

Chiswick House & Gardens

Reviewed – 27th June 2019

★★★★

 

“Witnessing the performers having as much fun as we, the audience, created a special bond through the shared experience”

 

Giffords Circus was started in the Cotswolds in 2000 by Nell and Toti Gifford. Its latest production, Xanadu comes to Chiswick Park this summer. Directed by Cal McCrystal, Xanadu is an interpretation of the poem ‘Kubla Khan’ by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Written in 1797 and published in 1816, Kubla Khan is a dream-like, epically depicted verse, full of romanticism and beautiful imagery. Giffords Circus uses these themes and takes us down a rabbit hole, back in time, to a fantasy world full of peace and love.

On entry you’re greeted by the ornately costumed front of house and are lead into a wonderland adorned with fairy lights and flowers. There is a sense as though the circus has been waiting here, all along, just for you to arrive.

Food is on hand at the Circus Sauce Restaurant to munch on before descending into the Big Top where the audience are greeted by Tweedy and Mr Fips; a cheeky comedy duo often getting into trouble and roping the audience into their hilarious capers along the way.

Dressed as a glittering hippy master of ceremonies, Michael Fletcher guides the audience through a journey full of acrobatics, equestrian acts, aerial gymnastics and performances that are an awesome spectacle to see. All accompanied by the The Band, playing songs that transported us back to the decades of Woodstock and rock n roll.

There isn’t one act that could be singled out as a favourite. Each were incredible and utterly arresting in their own way. The commitment to present a show of pure quality is clear to see on the expressions of every participant. Their smiles and genuine laughter was very contagious. Witnessing the performers having as much fun as we, the audience, created a special bond through the shared experience. Moments like this are beautifully unique and unforgettable.

What makes this production special is the ambiance felt the moment you entered. The warmth and friendliness of everyone is palatable and guests are made to feel part of the Gifford family. McCrystal directs a show inspired by an 18th century poem and avoids making it feel abstract or esoteric. It respectfully nods to aspects of the poem and captures the reverie-like state, which perforates throughout the text. The result is a haven of joyful escapism. Psychedelic, magical mayhem filled with flower power, good vibes and unadulterated fun for all ages.

 

Reviewed by Pippin

Photography by Gem Hall

 


Giffords Circus – Xanadu

Chiswick House & Gardens until 8th July then tour continues until 29th September

 

 

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