Start Swimming - People's Theatre - Review

Start Swimming 

People's Theatre

February 22nd 2019

Start Swimming is the second production to be staged in the brand-new People's Theatre Studio, and the first for the youth theatre. Given the title you could think it was about swimming - but no it wasn't.

Written by James Fritz and performed brilliantly by members of the People's Youth Theatre this is a great show from start to finish.

We start with some inspirational quotes from lots of different famous people including the phrase about insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome, Albert Einstein.

Then we get onto the action. Now as someone who is an activist in politics this show is right down my alley.

I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE.... this is the tag line and as an activist this is something I live by.

You know those "Keep Off the Grass" signs that you just want to kick over and walk on the grass? This idea is central to the play. 

The cast navigate a dystopian reality TV show in which they question each other; half have sashes and are the ones in 'power' and then some are without and have no authority. 

In politics especially in local levels they seem to think they really do have power! They don't! They are in authority but don't have power.

But who does have power? Is it landowners and leaders or is it people? You can make a case for all three but for me it's people. We as the people should be able to shape destiny, but who is right?

We could create a better society if we question things. But as we are human we accept second best and wait for someone else to act until we get pissed off and frustrated. Then we tell authority to Feck off.

Generation Y (as I am) are the best ones at telling authorities to do one, since we are the ones with better ideas and we understand that we NEED to be the change (something that the Millennials need to learn). You have to actually do something to get what you want.

Young people can make a difference.

But back to the play - the main person in the play has a blue sash and was not on either side of the divide but controlled both. 

The play spoke about how the world is broken and how we need to fix it.

While short in length – just over an hour – this is a great play that really connects to people and today's politics and the change that needs to happen! It’s a  great start in the  studio with some great young actors. The acapella singing is on point and in tune with the theme of the play.

On until Sat 23^rd. be quick to see it!

Reuben Hiles

The Restless State - Alphabetti Theatre - Review

The Restless State  

Alphabetti Theatre

17th April 2018

This one man show written by Danielle Pearson and performed by Jesse Fox spans three different time lines, from three different people from the past (1989), the present (2018) and the future 2052. The general theme that connected all the time periods was political change. From the end of the Berlin wall, the day after brexit and the future referendum on a one child policy. The stage is sparse, but effective and the one man show switches from monologues to what equates to an audio narration of what is happening. Sound is used often and effectively creates atmosphere when needed, including music, sound effects and sound bites.  

There’s an underlying sense of nostalgia even in the distant future. The locations switch from Berlin (1989), London (2018) and Rome (2052). In the past hope is prevalent, yet the further we get into the future the more bleak we get. Due to the switching and the pace of the piece it can be confusing in places, but all becomes clear at the end. The plot quality varies and is best paced in 1989. Overall this was a very entertaining and evocative hour long piece and it felt something quite different from what I’m used to. If you like something a bit different, I definitely recommend checking this out. 
It runs at Alphabetti until Friday 20th April.

Frank Cromartie Murphy