Tag Archives: The Coronet Theatre

Winston Vs Churchill
★★★★★

The Coronet Theatre

Winston Vs Churchill

Winston Vs Churchill

The Coronet Theatre

Reviewed – 8th June 2019

★★★★★

 

“Battiston proves his acting chops in a performance that will stick in the mind long after the last cigar smoke ring has dissolved into the ether”

 

Guiseppe Battiston is a behemoth of Italian film and television. The multi-award-winning actor seems well-known to most Italians I’ve come across, and so having him bring his majestic stage presence to The Coronet Theatre is a real treat. Performed as part of the (sadly too short) Italian Theatre Festival, ‘Winston vs Churchill’ is an intriguing character study, funny and profound in equal measure.

Carlo G. Gabardini’s play blends speeches, letters and conversation to explore “what makes a man capable of shifting the course of history”. It’s a riveting concept: a play in Italian about a towering figure in British political history. Rather than being overtly critical of the man, Gabardini has fun with the character. Historical retelling of Churchill’s career is intercut with moments akin to stand-up comedy, with Battiston bashing out jokes like there’s no tomorrow. Maria Roveran gives the character a sparring partner, gently offering warnings about his health that get stubbornly ignored.

Battiston is intensely enjoyable to watch. Physically, he embodies an ageing Churchill perfectly, leaning heavily on furniture to get around and blowing smoke rings from the cigars constantly found in his hand. Jokes about Italians losing football matches like they lose wars go down well, but he also finds Churchill’s optimism. At this precarious time in the history of the European project, Churchill seems prophetic, observing how islanders will always remain isolated islanders.

Paola Rota’s direction produces some stunning visual moments. Roveran sings whilst Churchill, silhouetted by a back light, surrounds himself in cigar smoke – a noir-esque sight fitting with the overall design of the show. A simple set implying an old man’s drawing room, replete with armchair and globe drinks cabinet, tells us all we need to know about time, place and character.

This show could easily continue its run in London. An Italian take on a British legend that delves into what it means to be British, and what our idolised historical figures represent. Battiston proves his acting chops in a performance that will stick in the mind long after the last cigar smoke ring has dissolved into the ether.

 

Reviewed by Joseph Prestwich

 


Winston Vs Churchill

The Coronet Theatre as part of the Italian Theatre Festival

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:
Act & Terminal 3 | ★★★★ | June 2018
The Outsider | ★★★★★ | September 2018
Love Lies Bleeding | ★★★★ | November 2018
A Christmas Carol | ★★★★ | December 2018
The Dead | ★★★ | December 2018
The Lady From The Sea | ★★ | February 2019
The Glass Piano | ★★★★ | April 2019

 

Click here to see more of our latest reviews on thespyinthestalls.com

 

Remember Me: Homage to Hamlet
★★

The Coronet Theatre

Three Italian Short Stories

Three Italian Short Stories

★★★★

Remember Me: Homage to Hamlet

★★

 

The Coronet Theatre

Reviewed – 7th June 2019

“There is so much to learn from seeing non-British theatrical work”

 

Programming international theatre is always a risk, and one I’m thrilled theatres like The Coronet do. There is so much to learn from seeing non-British theatrical work, and festivals such as this one are rare to come by in Britain. That being said this opening night of the Italian Theatre Festival, now enjoying its second year at The Coronet, was a mixed bag of an evening.

It kicked off with “Three Italian Short Stories”. Greta Scacchi, Alessandra Vanzi and Lucy Russell come together to read from the “landmark publication” ‘The Penguin Book of Italian Short Stories’ edited by Jhumpa Lahiri. Draped in white light, the readers stand like little islands in the gaping black sea of a stage. Read with spirit and conviction, all three deliver strong performances, with Lucy Russell’s rendition of Natalia Ginzburg’s ‘My Husband’ particularly standing out. She effortlessly becomes the first-person narrator, making the reading feel more like a confession. It was stirring stuff.

The other two stories – Elsa Morante’s ‘The Ambitious Ones’ and Fabrizia Ramondino’s ‘The Tower’ – followed similar themes of family and love. I particularly enjoyed the dark comedy of Morante’s tale: a vain, doting mother is punished when the daughter she spends all her time and money making beautiful becomes a nun and dies.

Less successful was ‘Remember Me: Homage to Hamlet’. Performed by Fabrizio Gifuni, this is essentially a one-man-Hamlet, cut down to last just over an hour but giving us all the greatest hits as we go along. Gifuni is undoubtedly a gifted actor with a tremendous voice. But despite G.U.P. Alcaro’s ambitious score, the show never really extends beyond self-indulgence. As someone who knows and loves ‘Hamlet’, I was able to revel in reading my favourite passages appear as subtitles. I’m not sure I learnt anything new from this deconstructed version however. Perhaps others will.

As opening nights go, this was adventurous and different, and I again applaud The Coronet for hosting this festival. It showcases an Italian theatre of widely different styles. Three lyrical, loving short stories clash with over-indulgence and theatrical experimentation. The former entertains, whilst the latter showcases what I am sure many Brits consider the worst aspects of European theatrical culture. Having both on display here is essential.

Reviewed by Joseph Prestwich

 


Remember Me: Homage to Hamlet

The Coronet Theatre as part of the Italian Theatre Festival

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:
Act & Terminal 3 | ★★★★ | June 2018
The Outsider | ★★★★★ | September 2018
Love Lies Bleeding | ★★★★ | November 2018
A Christmas Carol | ★★★★ | December 2018
The Dead | ★★★ | December 2018
The Lady From The Sea | ★★ | February 2019
The Glass Piano | ★★★★ | April 2019

 

Click here to see more of our latest reviews on thespyinthestalls.com