Chris Bush’s Hungry premiered last year at the Roundabout, it’s since had a run at Soho Theatre and now it’s back at the Roundabout at Summerhall for this years Fringe.
Hungry uses food as a symbol of class and status. Lori (Eleanor Sutton) is a chef that’s food obsessed and her love language is food. She believes food should be healthy, eco friendly, sustainable and organic. Then there is waiter Bex (Melissa Lowe) who enjoys chicken nuggets and pot noodles. She’s a lover of comfort food and these foods remind her of her upbringing. She’s proudly working class, and the difference between her and Lori is apparent.
Lori and Bex develop a relationship and begin plans to set up a restaurant together. Lori is determined to turn Bex on to the finer things in life, believing Bex simply needs to upgrade her life. Lori is blind to the issues at large, that the food she loves is inaccessible to working class people.
At it’s core, Hungry tenderly displays a queer relationship, it’s heartfelt at times and hilarious and others. Lowe and Sutton’s chemistry is undeniable and their relationship feels authentic. Lowe is the star of the show for me, she has some great comebacks and one-liners and her deadpan expression heightens the comedic value.
Sutton’s Lori speaks a mile a minute, and is awkward and bashful at the beginning of their relationship. Lori digs herself a hole as the play progresses, becoming irredeemable. I felt slightly as though we never really get to know Lori well. Her passion for food is clear, but beyond that Lori feels slightly one-dimensional as we learn next to nothing more about her.
Lowe’s ending monologue is simply stunning. It’s impassioned, heartfelt and important. Lowe’s delivery is intensely powerful, and soon she’s stomping on crisps littered across the floor, which heightens the intensity even more.
Hungry highlights an array of important topics including; gentrification, class issues, grief, cultural appropriation and fatphobia, all whilst using food as the subject matter. Bush’s script is incredibly well written, complex and thought provoking and the delivery from Lowe and Sutton is powerful.
{🎟 AD: PR Invite – Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review}
2 Star Review 3 Star Review 4 Star Review 5 Star Review 2022 2023 2024 Adaptation Almeida Cabaret Camden Fringe Cast Announcement Christmas Comedy Dance Drag Edinburgh Fringe Edinburgh Fringe Interviews Fringe Immersive Interview Interviews Jukebox Musical LGBTQIA+ Lyric Hammersmith Manchester Musical News New Wimbledon Theatre North West Off West End Park Theatre Play Regional Production Review Revival Richmond Theatre Shakespeare Show Announcement Show Recommendations Soho Theatre Southwark Playhouse Touring Production VAULT Festival West End
- SWEAT – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
Advertisements After being commissioned by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to write a play about the American Revolution, Lynn Nottage wrote SWEAT eerily close to the announcement of Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy. It is revived in Manchester by director Jade Lewis for the Royal Exchange Theatre. Spanning 2000 and 2008, SWEAT follows a group of friends and their families in Reading, Pennsylvania as they grapple with the closure of the factory they all work at and the tensions that rise as a result of the turbulent economic times. The standout performances come from Abdul Sessay as Chris, on the cusp of freedom until he makes … More SWEAT – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE - DAVID HOYLE: STILL GOT IT…? – REVIEW – AVIVA STUDIOS
Advertisements Still Got It is the culmination of David Hoyle’s three weekresidency at Aviva Studios, where friends old and new are brought together for a celebration of avant-garde performance art and old school drag. With guest performances from dance troupe the Glitterbomb Dancers and drag queen Veda Lady, Still Got It is a celebration of David Hoyle’s life, his work, and us – who still have it. The Aviva Studios’ main stage boasts an impressive 1600-person capacity, the size of the stage at times proved to be a challenge for some performers, who are clearly more used to small stages. Hoyle’s own performance was by far the strongest … More DAVID HOYLE: STILL GOT IT…? – REVIEW – AVIVA STUDIOS - PIPPIN IN CONCERT – REVIEW – THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE
Advertisements Pippin premiered on Broadway in 1972 and in the West End the following year. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Roger O. Hirson, the musical tells the story of Pippin, heir to the throne, as he embarks on a quest to find himself. Now back in London for two nights only, in a concert production directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, which celebrates the show’s 50th anniversary – with an all-star cast. There have been a lot of musical theatre concert productions recently, however this might just be the best one yet. Played with a full orchestra, and a full choir, this joyous score is brought to … More PIPPIN IN CONCERT – REVIEW – THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE - RAGE ROOM – REVIEW – TRAVERSE THEATRE
Advertisements This review contains spoilers for the show’s ending. I would usually work around this when reviewing, but it is unfortunately key to the discussion of the show and its flaws. Going to script-in-hand presentations of plays in early stages of development can be a really rewarding experience. Sometimes you get to see a show that, although rough around the edges, is clearly going to become something really special. However, it can mean seeing a show that really does need a lot of development and this was unfortunately the case with Rage Room, a new play by Mhairi Quinn presented … More RAGE ROOM – REVIEW – TRAVERSE THEATRE - INTERVIEW – LUCIE JONES
Advertisements Ellie chats to Lucie Jones ahead of her solo concerts at Cadogan Hall this May. Firstly, how are you feeling ahead of your solo concerts at Cadogan Hall this May? I am so excited for these gigs! It feels like I haven’t done a solo show for ages and I have loved choosing my set list and getting creative with it. It’s so fun, building a set around your favourite songs. How did you choose the line up of songs for this concert? I have a very long playlist of songs that I would love to sing at some … More INTERVIEW – LUCIE JONES
- SWEAT – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATREAdvertisements After being commissioned by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to write a play about the American Revolution, Lynn Nottage wrote SWEAT eerily close to the announcement of Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy. It is revived in Manchester by director Jade Lewis for the Royal Exchange Theatre. Spanning 2000 and 2008, SWEAT follows a group of friends and their families in … More SWEAT – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
- DAVID HOYLE: STILL GOT IT…? – REVIEW – AVIVA STUDIOSAdvertisements Still Got It is the culmination of David Hoyle’s three weekresidency at Aviva Studios, where friends old and new are brought together for a celebration of avant-garde performance art and old school drag. With guest performances from dance troupe the Glitterbomb Dancers and drag queen Veda Lady, Still Got It is a celebration of David Hoyle’s life, his work, and … More DAVID HOYLE: STILL GOT IT…? – REVIEW – AVIVA STUDIOS
- PIPPIN IN CONCERT – REVIEW – THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANEAdvertisements Pippin premiered on Broadway in 1972 and in the West End the following year. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Roger O. Hirson, the musical tells the story of Pippin, heir to the throne, as he embarks on a quest to find himself. Now back in London for two nights only, … More PIPPIN IN CONCERT – REVIEW – THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE
- RAGE ROOM – REVIEW – TRAVERSE THEATREAdvertisements This review contains spoilers for the show’s ending. I would usually work around this when reviewing, but it is unfortunately key to the discussion of the show and its flaws. Going to script-in-hand presentations of plays in early stages of development can be a really rewarding experience. Sometimes you get to see a show … More RAGE ROOM – REVIEW – TRAVERSE THEATRE
- INTERVIEW – LUCIE JONESAdvertisements Ellie chats to Lucie Jones ahead of her solo concerts at Cadogan Hall this May. Firstly, how are you feeling ahead of your solo concerts at Cadogan Hall this May? I am so excited for these gigs! It feels like I haven’t done a solo show for ages and I have loved choosing my … More INTERVIEW – LUCIE JONES