Tag Archives: Shared Experience

BLIZZARD

★★★★

Soho Theatre

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BLIZZARD at the Soho Theatre

★★★★

“The plot is both completely mad, and entirely believable”

Emily Woof’s one woman show offers a truly unique view of the world, while still feeling universally observant.

The performer arrives on stage, mid anecdote. She tells a rambling, uncertain, but incredibly funny story. It’s like you’ve met her late into a drunken dinner party. Just as the audience are getting their heads around the naturalistic story style, the lights shift, pounding music plays and she is transformed through dance. Only for a beat. Then the story picks back up, as if uninterrupted. She is destabilising, charming and brilliant.

Dotty’s husband calls her Dotty. Dotty calls her husband Dotty. They love each other, have been ‘together forever’ but they don’t truly understand each other. As their marriage is tested, husband Dotty must confront the meaning of his life’s work and wife Dotty goes on an adventure which has her questioning the essence of self and purpose.

Woof’s script is evocatively told and created. At times uproarious, at times heart-breaking. It is intricately crafted to be rich with symbolism and metaphor, but doesn’t lose the characterisation at its heart.

The plot is both completely mad, and entirely believable. It deals with the little lives of little people but unpicks their absurdity to create a strange and whimsical tapestry of a life.

 

 

Hamish McColl’s direction is inspired. The more natural and stammering Dotty is, the more wild and free the physical theatre becomes. Sian Williams’ movement direction seamlessly blends with the hyper-realism of the monologue. The characters are all brought to life through studied and well executed physicalisation.

It’s a captivating performance from Woof. The character is emotionally complex and poignant. She is trapped in a small world, with a vast and peculiar worldview. Woof brings her to life, and makes us love her.

Andrew Croft’s lighting design and Theo Foley’s sound design brilliantly complement the shifts in the piece. There is no tonal imbalance, the stylistic transitions are seamless.

Ellie Wintor’s set is simple, but cleverly thought out to remain versatile. There is a beautiful moment with string, which I won’t spoil, but will stay with me.

Blizzard, for me, what theatre does best. It is strange and free but within the confines of a brilliantly designed story world. It explores an unusual woman, who somehow feels very familiar. And it’s incredibly funny. It loses itself a little in the second half, and the energy lags a bit as the style shifts, but it is definitely worth seeing, for Woof’s performance alone.

 


BLIZZARD at the Soho Theatre

Reviewed on 9th May 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Viktor Erik Emanuel

 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

BOYS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS | ★★★★ | April 2024
SPENCER JONES: MAKING FRIENDS | ★★★★ | April 2024
DON’T. MAKE. TEA. | ★★★★★ | March 2024
PUDDLES PITY PARTY | ★★ | March 2024
LUCY AND FRIENDS | ★★★★★ | February 2024
AMUSEMENTS | ★★★★ | February 2024
WISH YOU WEREN’T HERE | ★★★ | February 2024
REPARATIONS | ★★★ | February 2024
SELF-RAISING | ★★★★★ | February 2024
FLIP! | ★★★★ | November 2023
BOY PARTS | ★★★★ | October 2023
BROWN BOYS SWIM | ★★★½ | October 2023

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Review of As You Like It – 3 Stars

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As You Like It

Richmond Theatre

Reviewed – 8th November 2017

★★★

“the company embody the lighthearted foolishness that makes the play what it is”

 

With it’s subtle political jokes (a ‘stags for remain banner’ clearly shown) and modern dance pieces entwined with classic Shakespearean text, it feels like this performance was designed to try and draw in newbies to the classics. Despite this, Shared Experiences’ production of what has been shown to be an audience favourite of The Bard, has proven to humour a Shakespeare aficionado.

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You’d think with an alumni of Vanessa Redgrave and Helen Mirren (to name a few) starring as Rosalind, a young actor would be quaking in their boots to take on such a role. But, Jessica Hayles takes it in her stride providing a refreshing new take on the character. Layo-Christina Akinlude shines as her cousin Celia when they move to the mythical Forest of Arden, after fleeing persecution in her uncle’s court (now portrayed as some kind of political office). Libby Watson’s design for Arden comprises of a desolate stage with white walls and floors reminiscent of a cell, tinged with artificial hues of hot pink and green (lighting by Chris Davey) that remind me more of neon raves rather than a quaint and tranquil haven. Furthermore, the only other indication that this is a forest is one lone, artificial, barren tree which wobbles as the actors climb up it. Poorly placed projections add nothing to the set or the story.

The actors more than make up for what the set lacks. On top of the two heroines’ stand out performances, Nathan Hamilton sets the stage as an angsty teen version of Orlando, the main love interest who progresses to a love stricken outcast from the office/court while Matthew Darcy shines as, among other characters, the pantomime Audrey.

This play feels like it was aimed at a younger audience. One who would appreciate the selfies and Glastonbury feel to the camp in Arden. Despite this, it appeals to everyone, regardless of whether you like Shakespeare or not. It’s fun and funny to watch and you’ll catch yourself empathising with the characters of this centuries old, yet timeless, play. Directed gaily by Kate Saxon, the company embody the lighthearted foolishness that makes the play what it is; a playful romp through one of the early examples of a romantic comedy.

 

Reviewed by Ciara Loane

Photography by Keith Pattison

 

Richmond Theatre

 

AS YOU LIKE IT

is at the Richmond Theatre until 11th November then touring until 2nd December

 

 

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