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No country for old women: Old Ladies - at Finborough Theatre

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The day after seeing The Old Ladies at the Finborough Theatre , I was describing the play to someone in great detail: about three old ladies who lived in a rickety house in southern England in 1935. Based on Hugh Walpole’s novel and adapted by Rodney Ackland, it is the sort of story with enough believability, humour and mild thriller to stick in your mind. Perhaps it is the lure of this dark, forboding tale of a life without money, to be alone and to be old, that makes you feel attracted to this poverty porn. But then again, given the state of the world, the cost of living, an ageing population, or just the fact that it’s a dog-eat-dog world, it might as well be an every little old lady-for-herself, too. It’s a well-acted and staged piece that moves at a brisk pace, so there isn’t much time to think about it too much. And in the intimate (or should that be claustrophobic?) space of the Finborough, there’s nowhere to avert your eyes. Even if you wanted to.  The scene is a grim Cathe...

Take me to the world: Hide and Seek @parktheatre

Photo of actors Louis Scarpa and Nico Cetrulo

In a small town where everyone knows everyone, if you don't like it, you might feel that the only logical thing to do is to disappear. Especially if you think it will help your social media rankings. The loneliness and isolation of youth meet influencers in the wild in Tobia Rossi's Hide and Seek. And while events take a darker turn, the humour and the intimacy make this piece about youth on the edge (of trending) fascinating and enjoyable. It's currently playing at Park Theatre. 

Mirko (Nico Cetrulo) is exploring a cave with his camera when he stumbles on Gio (Louis Scarpa). Gio has been missing for a while, and the town has been looking for him. But Gio is more interested in how much he is trending on TikTok. He also had a crush on Mirko. Soon, they establish a friendship and a bond. In the cave, they explore feelings they would not dare share outside. However, things turn darker when Gio is confident enough to leave the cave, while Mirko doesn't want his double life to be exposed. 

Photo of actor Louis Scarpa

It's an engaging piece thanks to the chemistry of the two leads, which give the piece an, at times, breathtaking hormone-induced energy while conveying the tenderness of two lost young men in the woods. 

Constance Comparot's set is simple yet effective, giving the sense of an alien chasm and a refuge from the outside world. And Alex Forey's lighting fills the story with darkness and shadows.

In some parts, I struggled to relate to the piece. For instance, if I were in a cave with a hot guy and it had been a while since I last had a shower, I wouldn't need him to tell me to use wet wipes. But Tobia Rossi's story captures many contradictions of being young, trying to fit in, and finding out who you are. Its humour and everyday references make the ending feel more tragic, highlighting that evil comes from the banalest of motivations. 

Translated and directed by Carlotta Brentan, Hide and Seek continues at Park Theatre until 30 March, after being seen in the UK at the Vault Festival in 2023. Opening the week the Vault Festival announced its permanent closure is a fitting reminder of the festival's value to London over its twelve years of existence. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Photo of actors Louis Scarpa and Nico Cetrulo


Photos: Mariano Gobbi

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