NHSMACKDOWN - REVIEW - VAULT FESTIVAL

NHSmackdown shows healthcare workers fighting back, against the government, Covid 19, flu, and burnout. A topic that’s fitting to the current climate, in which nurses and junior doctors are undertaking the largest-ever strike action.

Hosted by Nurse Lawless, aka Rich Tea, the show utilises verbatim interviews with healthcare professionals, which have been re-recorded to protect anonymity, these are projected onto the wall next to the stage. The stage is replaced with a wrestling ring, as these fights are performed in a literal form in front of the audience. This is a Fist Club show – they are a company which combines wrestling, drag, cabaret, and comedy into their shows. The wrestling is the best part of the show, it’s the aspect which feels the most fully realised, cohesive, and well-rehearsed. This is clearly where the actors’ strengths lie and where they feel most comfortable.

Verbatim must be intimidating, particularly when there’s such power behind those words, as in this case. It’s probably incredibly nerve-wracking to deliver the lines perfectly, as the interviewee said them. There were quite a few stumbles along the way here, with lines being fed to Rich Tea occasionally, which slightly diluted the impact of these words, and made it difficult to follow.

At times the show felt very disjointed, lacking fluidity. There were some unnecessary parts incorporated which added to the run time, whilst not elevating the show’s story or solidifying the message. For example, a part where they used sliding sheets to move an audience member. Plus, when some video interviews were playing, Rich Tea went off to do press-ups or other physical activities simultaneously, which distracted from the video and meant the next part of their script was delivered whilst out of breath. To me, it did not make sense why this was incorporated. There were also some sound issues which meant you strained to hear what the actors were saying.

I enjoyed the concept of the show, it’s unique, completely original, and takes an important topic with many crucial points to say, but packages them into a show that’s fun to watch for the audience. Unfortunately, the execution is what lets this show down, it feels as though it requires some extra rehearsal time and some edits in the content it includes. Better links between the segments would aid the flow, and a more solid ending would elevate the show’s final point, hitting it home and leaving us all thinking about it. But, I do not doubt that with some editing this could be a great piece of theatre with a strong message.

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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by Amy Rye
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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by Ellie Preston
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