The show was
opened by a monologue piece called Limerence, Written by Abena
Taylor-Smith and directed by Misha Duncan Barry. Instantly falling in love with
a stranger on a train or at a party is something we have all thought about thanks
to ‘the movies’ but it never really plays out. Well this time it did. We follow
Keziah, played by the confident and commanding Maz Hedgehog, as she falls down
a slippery slope of limerence with Alisha, a stranger she has a weird amount in
common with. We are taken on holiday with them as things turn sour and we find
out maybe Alisha wasn’t ‘the one’ after all. She weaves Keziah a web of lies
that she walks in to, too infatuated to see the signs. Hedgehog navigates the
monologue expertly, constantly keeping us along for the ride. Aside from some
translation issues with the lighting (the audience mistaking the end of a scene
for the end of the piece) it was a slick sturdy way to open the night.
After a
rapturous applause filled with cheers and woops that continued for the night,
we were blessed with The Demon Dog Of Waterhead, written by Cathy
Crabb and directed by Kate Coogan. We are greeted with Sue, played by Sarah
Legg, and Dom, played by James Quinn... n a dog onesie. Well this was always
going to be a ‘treat’. We join the couple in their dining room awaiting guests
for the wake of their late dog. We become flies one the wall as Quinn eulogises
the poor pup with a country song reminiscing on all his faults. I have had the
pleasure of working with Quinn before and he certainly did a good job of
keeping his singing skills a secret up until now. Dare I say for good reason!
The piece was erratic at times but touching all the same with a deeper message
harking on parent/child estrangement and how that is coped with. Though it was
barking mad, you end a piece with a puppy in a box and everyone’s happy!
The last of
the first act was Perspective, by Alex Keelan, directed by
Rachel McMurray. This right here was the stand-out for me. We bare witness to
the inner-monologue of Janice, a tightly wound, well organised, soon to be
Deputy Chief Executive, played by the raw and enigmatic Emily Heyworth. We
begin with Janice almost gloating about her perfectly-put-together life and
character before watching it unravel before our very eyes. Heyworth showcases
every tool in the box taking us on an impressive character arc ending in a
panic attack and what looks like the beginning of a divorce. We envy, grimace,
laugh and cry with Emily from top to bottom. Supported by Joe Osborne, George
Miller and Amy Du Quesne it was some way to send us off for the interval.
We are put
firmly back in our seats for the second act as we find Sally Ann Matthews
hanging from a parachute in a failed attempt to land a charity jump. This was Tangled,
by Debbie Oates and directed by Ellie Rose. Sally, is probably used to her feet
being firmly planted on the cobbles of Coronation Street but in this hilarious
monologue found herself a little higher above ground. Navigating the nuances of
this piece beautifully we are taken on a journey of empowerment as ‘young
people these days are so brave’. We learn about gender identity from the
perspective of someone struggling to adapt to the education of this and boy, did
it hit the point home. After this highlight we were left feeling brave and
empowered. Exactly what the doctor ordered!
We are then
transported to the office of a magazine company for The Reference, written
by Hannah Ellis Ryan and directed by Amy Gavin. We meet Beth, played by the
brilliant Amy Du Quesne. She’s after a reference from her controlling and
cunningly abusive ex-boss Maeve played excellently by Emma Summerville. We
unpack a completely unprofessional previous working relationship between the two as we learn of Maeve’s grooming of the youthful bright brilliance of Beth.
Just as the piece is reaching its cadence we learn that Beth’s baton of burden
has been passed on to the fresh faced innocent Catherine, played by Amy Chung.
A subtle, provoking and disturbing story told brilliantly by these ladies.
Lastly we
join a group of four girls glammed up in Blackpool for Halal Hens, written
by Zoe Iqbal and directed by Channique Sterling Brown. Hannah, Sairah, Fiza and
Sofiyah, played by Zoe Iqbal, Nasima Begum, Noor Shahid and Anisa Butt respectively, find
themselves in what can only be described as a Brexit Bar on Sofiya’s hen do.
Though they manage to make the best of it they are confronted with the fact
that Sairah’s husband has been caught on Grindr! The topic of sexuality with a
backdrop of Islam is clever, quizzing and most definitely necessary. It is
broached with respect, humour and humility as we hear the different characters' viewpoints. A great note to end the night on. No matter how hard things get
I’ve got you, you’ve got me and we’ve got us.
This summed
up all the pieces and all the themes perfectly. An important and enjoyable
showcase of female work from HER Productions yet again. We can’t wait for the
next!
Reviewer - Jack Wagman
on - 17/3/22
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