BENEATH A CUPS - REVIEW - VAULT FESTIVAL

This two-hander tackles 21st-century dating and seduction, from an all-female perspective. Stacy (Kat Stinson) is a virgin, she’s also a marriage guidance counsellor, we watch as the chaos ensues as she attempts to seduce a sexy Italian waiter, Alfredo, encouraged by her colleague Mary (Giulia Hallworth).

Stidston’s script is filled with sarcasm and dryly humorous lines, her delivery is also mostly good, with a seriousness in her tone at times. The show features fourth wall breaks in the style of Miranda and Fleabag, I enjoyed this aspect, it made us feel as though we were getting to know the real Stacy. But there is a definite Miranda style to the show, something they don’t deny, it’s on the press release, but it does stray into the territory of being slightly too similar at times. For instance, there is a whole conversation between Stacy and Mary about Stacy’s inability to say the word sex, something which feels as though it has been lifted directly from an episode of Miranda. Stidston also retains a Miranda Hart style in her delivery – I would have appreciated it if she had incorporated more individuality into the performance, carving her own comedy style for herself, to make add originality to her delivery.

Hallworth proves a theatrical chameleon, playing multiple roles throughout the show. She is highly energetic throughout her performance with facial expressions adding hilarity. The roles she plays are all quite one-dimensional, due to the material given and the lack of time each character has onstage.

The show displays links to the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundations on seats and in the online programme, however, it was mentioned once and alluded to a couple of times, to then never be brought up again. This is a missed opportunity, as this is the only original message the show contains, and full exploration would have elevated the show and its message.

I enjoyed the poetic monologue in the final moment of the show, allowing the show to end on a high note. Although Beneath A Cups contains some comical moments, it also features some cliched writing, lacks nuance, and is deficient in originality. There could be a good play within this, but some reworking is required to achieve this.

Read all of Amy’s review here

SAVE THE VAULT FESTIVAL

VAULT Festival has been left without a venue for 2024’s festival and beyond
• VAULT Festival have launched a #SaveVAULT campaign
• The campaign aims are to raise £150,000 by 19th March to support the festival’s survival AND to secure a new home for the festival to continue.
• You can help by donating, helping access funding networks, and helping then find a venue.
• You are officially implored to make the most of 2023’s Festival while it lasts!

{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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The infamous Sh!t Faced Showtime are back in London with a festive edition, they have taken Dickens’ classic and put a drunken spin on it. The formula is the same as other iterations of the Shi!t Faced shows, one member of the cast has been boozing, and this time it is John Milton who plays Scrooge. Before the show, half a bottle of Jim Beam, some wine, and beer have been consumed in the previous 4 hours. The rest of the cast, try to keep the show on track, also aided by James Murfitt as the compere, Charles Dickens. The … More A PISSEDMAS CAROL – REVIEW – LEICESTER SQUARE
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