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One hundred people’s ninth favourite thing: [title of show] @swkplay

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[title of show] takes you back to a time before the fast paced social media where word of mouth for a positive show came from chat boards, video diaries or (god forbid) blogs. A simple staging makes it an ideal (and economical piece to stage), but it’s sweet and earnest take on just putting on a show, and putting it out there and taking a chance gives this show its heart. With a strong and energetic cast and endless musical theatre references, it’s hard to resist and it’s currently playing at the Southwark Playhouse .  It opens with Hunter (Jacob Fowler) and Jeff (Thomas Oxley) as struggling young writers in New York City. An upcoming New York Musical Theatre festival, inspires them to write an original musical within three weeks to make the deadline. As they discuss ideas, writers block, distractions and endless other good and bad musicals, an idea for a show emerges. Which is about writing a show for a musical theatre festival.  Their friends Heidi (Abbie Budden) and Susan (Mary Moor

Mad as hell and serving Cava: Derailed @Ovalhouse

Sometimes the best laid plans go awry. But when life gives you lemons make lemonade. Or in the case of Derailed at Oval House, make gazpacho. And serve Cava. 

The premise is that in the post-Brexit UK, they are heading back to Spain. But rather than leave downtrodden and defeated, they’re going to stage the mother of all leaving parties. 

The music blares, the party poppers fly and the party begins.

The piece opens with a series of photos from Patricia and Mercè‘s 12 years living in the UK. With the grey skies and dismal towns you start thinking Brexit wasn’t the only reason for their decision to leave.

And with a series of improvised scenarios you’ll find yourself live tweeting a petition, having a long hug with a complete stranger. Or wearing an unconvincing wig holding a banner protesting something. Along they way they chart some of their life in London and in Spain. 

The premise of Patricia Rodríguez and Mercè Ribot‘s work is to use physical theatre and improvision to create something funny and engaging. It’s sometimes silly but it’s always fascinating to watch.

Here they have turned 12 years of struggle into a celebration about what is great about life. Wherever you may be. And although the party in London may be ending, you get a sense they’ll continue the  party wherever they go.

Derailed is at Oval House Theatre as part of there Spring Season. It concludes on 3 March. Next up is This Restless State where in 2052 Europe is ravaged by a continental war and a referendum. The season concludes with Coconut, a comedy that challenges assumptions about Islam with a modern Muslim woman looking for love. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Photos by Ben MacIntosh

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