Grace is an emerging theatre creator and regularly reviews shows at greenroom.
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The annual street festival under the arches just round the corner from greenroom; for the best in live art, dance and music, also a special mention of Larkin’ About who were running a programme of games on both days.
Third Person (redux) was a truly enjoyable production to experience. It’s a story about lots of love and chemistry and making the right or wrong choices. Bonny and Clyde, the celebrity criminals of the 1930’s are the main subject matter and the story told is about how their relationship formed, thrived and disintegrated. The piece is delivered by Gillian Lees and Andrew Westerside who instantly engage with the audience from the moment they arrive on stage. Their surroundings were prepared to design their accounts with overhead projections and live video camera images.
I was entranced by their pictures, the letter, miniature toy characters and a glass of fresh lemonade. Each section of their story told us something new about whom these people were and how their chosen paths in life affected them and their families. They brought the human element to what was a actually a very brutal existence of Bonny and Clyde. However, the horror of their lifestyle was not overlooked either. Detailed descriptions of bullet wounded flesh and decomposing bodies were put before the audience also.
To break the mood and insert a taste of ‘normal’ life, the storytellers sat on the floor and chatted about their own personal lives, desires and everyday experiences. I thought this worked as a good balance and although it was a different pace and very different content, they kept the audiences’ interest.
The technical effects were highlighted and complimented the various fragments of life that were depicted and the entire production was orchestrated in such a way that it remained intriguing and satisfying from start to finish.
I was instantly put in a good mood for Class of ‘76 by Third Angel because I was offered a Drumstick lollipop on my way to my seat. Catering for my sweet tooth. Always good. Alexander Kelly was the only person the audience would be watching for the next hour and fifteen minutes and there was some pressure for him to deliver and deliver he did. The set for his story was minimal. Just one table, to his right, with a few choice props. He stood before us, relaxed and at ease as he chatted about how the idea for Class of ‘76 was born and developed to what it is today.
He spoke about where the show had previously been performed and about who had gone to see it. Admittingly, there was a moment where I wondered ‘When is this introduction going to end and the play going to start?’ But as I watched, I realised that these were not separate entities but that this was the play in itself.
The memories were drawn so clearly for us. Everyone was quickly transported back to the time of his youth and I was intrigued to hear the tales from his school days and to learn about him, his young classmates and the friendships which were founded, or not, in the school yard and beyond.
As each class member was being described, their faces were introduced to us, one by one as they posed in their school photograph. The image was being projected onto the stage but could only be seen when a single piece of white card was placed before it.
Each character appeared as if from thin air and this taste of technical trickery really made the story come to life. It was unexpected but very much enjoyed as a synopsis of that child’s past and present life was told.
Interrupting these personal accounts were some detailed descriptions of the games played in the school yard at the time. This was the only point where I felt the story dragged a little and it made me wonder if the piece would have benefited from having a second performer to accompany Mr. Kelly.
Each person in that piece mattered a lot to the story teller, even if he never really knew them, because combined, they were this representation of his fond memories and whom he clearly still had a strong connection to.
Overall, I thought that Third Angel produced a beautiful and unique piece of work. Alexander Kelly was a pleasure to watch and listen to and I fully understand why Class of ‘76 has enjoyed such longevity and no doubt has many more years to enjoy.
The easeful and soft atmosphere in the bar pre show was a stark contrast to what was awaiting the audience of Watch Me Fall. Having been approached by a staff member 20 minutes before the show started, to tell me that they’ll be handing out cameras on entrance to the performance confirmed my initial preconceptions that this would be like no drama I’d seen before.
Once in the space, you are greeted by an area without any seats but with a mini runway down the middle of the floor, framed by white tap, an ice cooler containing several bottles of coke and a microphone stand at either end. Not forgetting the little ramp, which held lots of promise for an exciting evening by just being there.
While the audience are coming to grips with the unique staging of the event the dare devil hands out cans of coke, in between greeting his ‘fans’ and gearing himself to become a entertainer like no other. What followed was an onslaught of hyper activity and a concoction of feigned violence, love, and above all a thirst for admiration and attention.
For me, and probably not just me, watching the dare devil’s attractive assistant be nearly drowned in a wave of Coca Cola was almost too much. She lay on the floor while her partner poured so much fizzy pop down her throat, she looked like she would choke. I didn’t know what to expect next.
Action Hero insisted on this shock factor which also meant delving into the intensity of the two characters relationship. From tight clenches together to being kicked in the head, they demonstrated the polar opposite sides of their involvement with one another.
The show was overall an exciting original for me with the only criticism being that at times I found the repetitive theme a bit tedious and unnecessary. Nevertheless, the two strong cast held the attention of their audience throughout and even received a cry of concern after the final stunt left the leading man crashing into the wall.
