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I Miss The Mountains: Fly More Than You Fall @Swkplay

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Losing a parent when you’re still figuring out who you are and your place in the world seems like a bummer of a topic for a musical. But somehow, Fly More Than You Fall tackles grief and loss with a light touch, catchy music and enthusiastic performances. While it may not offer great insight into the exploration of grief, it gives pause for thought and a few laughs on the way. After all, death doesn’t take a holiday, and nobody gets out of here alive. We just hope it doesn’t happen too soon. It’s currently playing at Southwark Playhouse Elephant .  We first meet Malia as she prepares for summer writers' school. She aspires to be a writer and has a story in development. Encouraged by her mother to keep going, she is looking forward to the summer. But the summer school is cut short when her mother is diagnosed with stage four cancer. Back home so her mother can spend her last days with her family, Malia has to grow up quickly and find her voice while watching her mother slip away.  T

A little less conversation: After Sex @Arcolatheatre


According to research, millennials in rich countries are having sex less these days. But they were prepared to talk more about it. So, it is no surprise to see a story about what happens when a series of no-strings-attached encounters start to become attachments. And the conversations arising from it. Such is the premise of After Sex, Siofra Dromgoole’s two-hander of the conversations afterwards. It’s not particularly sexy or erotic, and the snappy pacing and short scenes sometimes make you wish they stayed longer to finish the conversation. Nevertheless, it is still a funny and, at times, bittersweet picture of single lives in the big city. It’s currently playing at the Arcola Theatre. 


He is bi and works for her in an office job. She is neither ready for a commitment nor to let the office know what’s happening. He isn’t prepared to tell his mum there’s someone special in his life. He doesn’t speak to his dad, so his mum is his world. It’s a perfect relationship/arrangement. Or so it seems. But through these casual encounters, desires, fantasies, and the urge to connect with someone becomes strong. 

The two leads aid much of the tension and the drama. They move about the stage with their lingering looks at each other that seem both intense and provocative. His booming voice makes it difficult not to listen to Azan Ahmed. He has no name in this piece, but nobody will likely forget him. Similar for Antonia Salib. As her, she may admit she let several guinea pigs die, but you feel an affection for this serial guinea pig killer in ways that you probably should not. 


Running for just over an hour, it’s a brief encounter of post-coital discussions. Maybe there’s a future version where things can linger longer, allowing us to understand the characters more. But in the meantime, there’s laughter tinged with a hint of sadness and loneliness in this production. There isn’t much physical intimacy here, but the imagination sometimes runs wild. 

Directed by Izzy Pariss, After Sex by Siofra Dromgoole is at the Arcola Theatre until 3 August. Look out for the pre-and post-show discussions on 25 July. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Photos by Jake Bush


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