Tag Archives: Pleasance Theatre

Tom Brace: Brace of Spades

★★★½

Pleasance Theatre

Reviews, , ,

Brace of Spades

Tom Brace: Brace of Spades

Pleasance Theatre

Reviewed – 3rd December 2019

★★★½

 

“an impressive display of the improbable generously peppered with enthusiastic banter”

 

Tom Brace is a cheeky chappie with a glint in his eye, and a pocketful of wholesome, homespun tricks. On this particular evening it’s unfortunate that half of the already intimate audience is made up of unwilling sixth-formers. But Mr Brace remains unperturbed, and does his utmost to win them over with an impressive display of the improbable generously peppered with enthusiastic banter. Starting strong with the audience estimating the price of his dapper chequer jacket, lo and behold, the tag still attached shows the exact amount we guessed, down to the penny. The evening continues in a similar vein of low-production, and expert execution.

As might be expected, the chilly British audience are rather hard to thaw, and Brace does well to make light of their reluctance to join in. But in doing so he’s a little overly self-deprecating. It’s a fine line, but after a while, best not to repeatedly tell the audience you know they don’t want to be there. That being said, the smaller members of the audience could not have been more delighted with both the showcase of skill and Brace’s friendly chat. And once an audience member, grown or growing, is finally cajoled on to the stage, Brace does well to utilise their uneasiness and turn it into part of the act.

Unlike a lot of children’s shows, this is ideal for both parents and off-spring alike, and the home-made nature of the production (a tent making do as a ‘crystal dome’, or ‘Who wants to be a millionaire…shortbread owner’ for example) does well to put the audience at ease. It’s not really for adults unaccompanied by children, but that being said, it’s only an hour long, so there’s no harm done if you’re in the neighbourhood and fancy a bit of good, clean fun.

 

Reviewed by Miriam Sallon

 


Tom Brace: Brace of Spades

Pleasance Theatre

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:
The Hypnotist | ★★½ | October 2019
The Perfect Companion | ★★★★ | October 2019
The Unseen Hour | ★★★★ | October 2019
Endless Second | ★★★ | November 2019
Escape From Planet Trash | ★★★ | November 2019
Heroin(e) For Breakfast | ★★★★★ | November 2019
Land Of My Fathers And Mothers And Some Other People | ★★★★ | November 2019
Madame Ovary | ★★★★★ | November 2019
Wireless Operator | ★★★★ | November 2019
Gobby | ★★★½ | December 2019

 

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Gobby

★★★½

Pleasance Theatre

Reviews, , , ,

Gobby

Gobby

Pleasance Theatre

Reviewed – 1st December 2019

★★★½

 

“an engaging and enjoyable show”

 

Gobby: Tending to talk too loudly and in a blunt or opinionated way.

Bri has always talked too much and too loudly. She’s been nicknamed ‘Gobby’ for as long as she can remember. But at some point, she stopped letting it out and instead, kept it in. Writer and performer, Jodie Irvine, brings her own wit and style to broach the rarely-voiced subject of gaslighting and its psychologically depletive consequences. The stage festooned with bunting, balloons and paper cups, Bri invites us to join her on a tour of five parties over two years which mark her healing journey from the repercussions of a toxic relationship.

Imaginatively and resourcefully, with just a handful of accents and plenty of party paraphernalia, Irvine conjures up a colourful cast of friends and acquaintances and some original accessories – a fun hat cocktail shaker, talking balloon heads, a party blower moustache and poppers which not only serve to vent anger but also punctuate the five part(ie)s of her story. She creates an assortment of wonderfully vivid roles including posh ex-flatmate Anna, drunk party girl, uncaring crush Matt and new best friend Beth (hard not to visualise Gavin and Stacey’s Nessa there). The use of music and lighting – clearly a given at parties – adds shape to the narrative while doing some creative underlining of mood.

The show touches on several topics which are often hard to discuss. Why do we need to be noticed, accepted or care what people think of us? Why can’t we be happy as we are?
Bri seems to mourn her ‘loud’ assertiveness which has been undermined by her previous boyfriend; no one close to her realised and she lost the confidence to speak out and ask for help. So how did she have the strength to leave? That would be interesting to develop. She addresses the effects of emotional abuse and Bri’s recovery but how she became submissive is left mainly to our imagination. And although the discovery of ‘self-awareness’ is Bri’s lightbulb moment, her speech about blame and gratitude is a deeper, more involved view with a thoughtful and positive conclusion. It goes without saying that it is beneficial to start any conversation which can throw a lifeline of recognition and understanding.

Irvine’s writing encompasses the awkward and painful reality of all types of relationships with anecdotal humour. Her honest and naturally comic acting combined with Rosie Snell’s meticulous direction produces an engaging and enjoyable show even though, when it digs into the darker areas, the message becomes blurred.

 

Reviewed by Joanna Hetherington

 

Gobby

Pleasance Theatre

 

Last ten shows reviewed at this venue:
The Fetch Wilson | ★★★★ | October 2019
The Hypnotist | ★★½ | October 2019
The Perfect Companion | ★★★★ | October 2019
The Unseen Hour | ★★★★ | October 2019
Endless Second | ★★★ | November 2019
Escape From Planet Trash | ★★★ | November 2019
Heroin(e) For Breakfast | ★★★★★ | November 2019
Land Of My Fathers And Mothers And Some Other People | ★★★★ | November 2019
Madame Ovary | ★★★★★ | November 2019
Wireless Operator | ★★★★ | November 2019

 

Click here to see our most recent reviews