BUILD A ROCKET - REVIEW - EDINBURGH FRINGE

16-year-old Yasmin (Shannon Rewcroft) reckons she is ‘well hard’. She’s from Scarborough, loves the Arctic Monkeys, and is pregnant. We follow Yasmin on this ‘explosive journey’ as she navigates her way through teenagehood to motherhood, and conquers adversity.

As you walk into the space, we see Rewcroft sitting on a chair, songs by the Arctic Monkeys playing, there is a mic on a stand and minimal furniture. Rewcroft’s delivery of the opening line of “dear dickhead” sets the tone for a great watch.

Rewcroft’s performance is phenomenal; full of energy, charisma, truth, and wit. She brings to life a believable and entertaining character that you instantly connect with and don’t want to leave when the show is over. You can see the work Rewcroft has put into bringing Yasmin and her story to life as it unfolds. She is an amazing and authentic actor.

Detail is what drives this show. Christopher York’s text is refined and Jordan Langford’s direction and design, along with Ernest Acquah’s sound design, elevates this into a slick and powerful production. Rewcroft moves around the space with intention and there is a reason behind every movement. The integration of singing, music, props, and lighting, all serve a purpose and help us experience what Yasmin is experiencing. When Rewcroft cradles the microphone to bring to life baby Jack, her physicality, breath, and facial expressions allow us to see the baby too.

Build a Rocket shoots for the stars and soars even further. A truly creative, witty, hilarious, poetic, and emotive production with music and audience participation. This production is the definition of theatre that makes you think and feel.

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

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