I Think I'm A Feminist

'I Think I'm A Feminist' by Worklight Theatre, The Bike Shed Theatre

I already know I'm a feminist, but as a woman that's easy for me to say. Here we have an exploration of the ideas and problems surrounding feminism presented my an all male theatre group.

Are men and women different at a neurological level? Do you have to hate men to be a feminist? Does pornography help or hinder feminism? What's with all the pink toys? And is it really necessary to label oneself a feminist at all?

With projections, personal stories and frequent use of a lecturer's pointer the group run through their thoughts on the issues and the male role within modern feminism. I was impressed by the breadth of their research and the questions they posed to the audience, it's good to be left pondering after a performance.

***
Next on Saturday at 7.20pm

www.igniteexeter.org.uk

On Hold & Herons

'On Hold' by Scratchworks, The Bike Shed Theatre

A dysfunctional messy unprofessional promotions team vie for the promotion of office manager whilst bickering and teasing each other over unresolved sexual tensions.

I feel there was a lot of potential here but what could have been the most interesting parts were brushed over. Was Josie actually sleeping at the office long-term? What was that brief mention about some professional misconduct in Malcolm's past about? Why spend so long diagnosing Katie with depression, and then have nothing come of it, especially as one of the characters was a psychologist?

**
On Hold has now finished its time at the Ignite festival



'Herons' by EUTCo, The Bike Shed Theatre

Thuggery and violence sit side by side with compassion and hope on a park bench by an East London canal.

There were a couple of faults. I suppose there's not much they can do about the fact that the ages of the actors are all wrong, but it does detract from the emotional impact of children going through such violent events when they all look like they're in their twenties. I also found it quite unbelievable that the tough thug character would break down so completely and immediately at the sight of a gun.

Overall, not a bad play, but not really to my taste either.

***
Herons is next on today (Thursday) at 2.30pm

www.igniteexeter.org.uk

Fox & Beneath the Albion Sky

'Fox' by Scratchworks, Exeter Phoenix

A silent film brought to life. This charming reimagining of Roald Dahl's classic has the animals leaping, crawling and dancing all over the place whilst soundtracked by live American Southern jazz.

With hardly any props and no scenery the mime elements of the show didn't always work (but only where there were a lot of 'objects' to handle) but the physicality was impressive. I particularly liked the girl playing the fox cub, she danced with such abandon that it looked like her limbs were made of rubber.

***
Fox has finished its run as part of Ignite



'Beneath the Albion Sky' by Write by Numbers, The Bike Shed Theatre

In his bewitching deep voice Paul (Andy Kelly) recounts his epic walk following the St. Michael's Ley Line from Land's End to Hopton-on-Sea. A mixture of acting, story-telling, good advice, fact and fiction, where he peacefully meets saints, knights and warrior queens, and violently confronts a dragon. Along the way considering our relationship with nature and change.

I wish my long distance walks were as interesting as his, but as he says - a walking story is always better than the walk.

*****
Your last chance to see it is Wednesday, 6.30pm
Tickets £6 (if purchased with no other shows)

www.igniteexeter.org.uk

Sound Bite

'Sound Bite' at the Barnfield Theatre, Exeter

At the beginning the two NASA press officers in charge of composing Neil Armstrong's first words on the moon reminded me of Lister and Rimmer from Red Dwarf, one uninterested in his work and the other trying too hard. But they become more complex as we learn more about their backgrounds through the discussions and arguments that occur whilst they are supposed to be working.

The play cleverly makes jokes about the past, and what we have learnt about those times with the benefit of hindsight, but it's central theme is about drawing parallels between the landing on the moon and the feminist movement, which I'd never considered before.

Whilst the comedy (and the American accents) faltered at times the good moments outweighed the bad. The acting was a bit stiff at the beginning but I'll put that down to opening night nerves, as they improved once they warmed up.

Staged with audience space for less than 30 people, set close to the stage, you feel the claustrophobia as the clock ticks on, and the play teases you, dropping odd words or phrases for Armstrong's finished line until you find yourself thinking "come on, you're so close!"

All in all, this play wasn't outstanding but it was enjoyable and I'd recommend it if you have an evening free.

***

Sound Bite continues through Saturday, 8pm. Tickets £5-7

The Disappearance of Sadie Jones

Hmmm, my first review, here goes....


'The Disappearance of Sadie Jones' by Hannah Silva at The Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter

Well, it's not a play for everyone. It's one of those plays that is more about artistry, and clever use of set and language - rather than about an interesting story.

Writer/director Hannah Silva has used a minimal amount of props and cast to portray the story of a macabre unstable woman dipping between fantasy and reality. The audience is swept along, not entirely sure of where the fantasy ends and the reality begins. You mustn't spend too long puzzling over this or you'll end up as mad as Sadie - though her encounter with a greengrocer selling apples would do that to anyone.

The language is lyrical with plays on synonyms, repetition and timing. The set is interesting with parts like minimalist modern design and parts like a child's graveyard. There are flashes of humour in the story but overall it's quite dark.

I don't think I'd recommend this play to most people, but if you love the art of theatre and dream-like strangeness it's definitely worth checking out. It is on at The Bike Shed until 20th April. Tickets £7-10.

***