Broken Biscuits - Live Theatre - Review

Broken Biscuits

Live Theatre

11th Oct 2016

 

Cast 

Faye Christall - as Megan 
Grace Hogg-Robinson - as Holly 
Andrew Reed- as Ben 

 

Creative Team
Writer Tom Wells
Songs Matthew Robins
Direction James Grieve
Design Lily Arnold
Lighting Joshua Pharo
Sound Dominic Kennedy
 

Broken Biscuits is a coming of age tale. Three friends Megan (Faye Christall) Hollie (Grace Hogg-Robinson) and Ben(Andrew Reed) have just started the long summer break between GCSEs and the start of College. They are on the cusp of change and Meg has a grand plan to ensure they start the next stage of their lives in the "cool" corner. Hollie and Ben aren't so sure they want to be in the cool gang but they humour their friend. In fact, Meg is not the kind of friend you don't humour. She is bold, and brash and basically browbeats her friends into doing what she wants through the sheer force of her will. It's easier to give in to her than to deal with the fall out. And so the painfully shy, geeky Hollie and the sensitive, recently outed Ben find themselves reluctantly recruited into a band project for the summer. This will catapult them into coolness when they start college, (obvs!). The fact that they neither own nor play any instruments, nor know any songs, is beside the point. This will not deter Meg - she has acquired a drum kit from the charity shop and nothing is going to stop her!

 

And so the three friends meet for band night each Friday in Meg's shed, learning to play their instruments, learning to write lyrics, learning who they are and what they want - and what they don't - want out of life.

 

Broken Biscuits is incredibly funny. Laugh out loud funny. But it is also touching and sweet. You can't help but be swept along with Meg's bombastic enthusiasm, to feel every squirm of Hollie's shyness, and to cheer for Ben's self-deprecating self-awareness. Their characters are acutely observed, a bit stereotypical for sure - but lets face it, we all know those kids on the outside of the social elite, the geeks, the nerds, the uncool kids. Some of us were those kids. And the thing about stereotypes is, they are always based in some truth.

 

The three young actors are utterly convincing in their roles. The set is fabulous - even down to the sheddy smell of wood and creosote - I don't think I have ever actually smelled a set before. The script is witty and sharp, and it speaks the language of the teenager.  

 

Broken Biscuits plays until 22nd Oct. I swear on the biscuit, you will have fun if you come to see this!

 

Denise Sparrowhawk