REVIEW - I FUCKED YOU IN MY SPACE SHIP

Interstellar metaphor is front and centre in Louis Emmitt-Stern’s invigorating script. A gay couple curious about spicing up their sex life (involving an extraterrestrial costume) and a lesbian couple seeking a male donor for insemination procedure invite a third-party into their lives leading to all manners of complication and mess. These “alien” figures introduced into delicate ecosystems shift dynamics and upend assumptions.

Jonas Moore’s Leo and Rebecca Banatvala’s Anna may be the initial instigators of their respective new associations, but it is their partner’s eventual responses that open fractures and threaten stability. Initially less convinced about seeking a third party, Max Hyner’s Dan gradually drifts towards revelation under the attentions of fresh playmate Al (Felix Kai, who projects a beguiling intergalactic presence). Always happy to please Leo, never questioning his own fancies, Dan submits to the experiment without fail. Coaxed out of complacency, Dan finds a voice for heretofore unarticulated sexual desire (his giddy confession of a long-standing fantasy involving changing rooms has the expressive, eruptive force of finally being able to give voice to a truth long buried under fear, guilt, and embarrassment). That he is able to relate more fully to Al rather than abiding partner Leo exposes the liabilities and fault lines underneath their connection. In the case of Lucy Spreckley’s Emily and Lewis Shepherd’s Robert, the donor who comes to stay, they grow close in ways that Anna cannot access. Emily, open and sweet, embraces Robert’s desire to be a major part of parenthood, while Anna is increasingly marooned in her wariness and resentment. Emmitt-Stern illustrates some sober realities of long-term relationships. There may be a point past which partners expect anything from one another other than what they have already defined. A stale comfort may settle in that stalls them from speaking out lest an established fragile framework breaks. Couples can become unknown to themselves, talking hesitantly around issues.

The script cleverly riffs on themes of invasion and abduction. Alliances and estrangements are made and unmade with a head-spinning velocity. The scenario is a mad roundelay of convergence and divergence. Humour and heartbreak are in equal balance. Moore, in particular, makes Leo’s aggrieved state palpable, perplexed and bewildered at his loss of control. Banatvala makes a humble peace with her own defeat. There is a commendably fresh and candid temper to the dialogue and impressive polish all around. Emmitt-Stern keeps the cosmic theme consistent to the very end, a distraught Leo looking to the skies and a glowing orb under covers.

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 gifted in exchange for an honest review}

SWEAT – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
by Jennifer Roberts
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 a … More SWEAT – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
DAVID HOYLE: STILL GOT IT…? – REVIEW – AVIVA STUDIOS
by Jennifer Roberts
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 part … More DAVID HOYLE: STILL GOT IT…? – REVIEW – AVIVA STUDIOS
PIPPIN IN CONCERT – REVIEW – THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE
by Amy Rye
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 life … More PIPPIN IN CONCERT – REVIEW – THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE
RAGE ROOM – REVIEW – TRAVERSE THEATRE
by Ella Catherall
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 as … More RAGE ROOM – REVIEW – TRAVERSE THEATRE
INTERVIEW – LUCIE JONES
by Ellie Preston
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 point, … More INTERVIEW – LUCIE JONES

{🎟 AD: PR Invite – Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review}

SWEAT – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
by Jennifer Roberts
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 a … More SWEAT – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
DAVID HOYLE: STILL GOT IT…? – REVIEW – AVIVA STUDIOS
by Jennifer Roberts
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 part … More DAVID HOYLE: STILL GOT IT…? – REVIEW – AVIVA STUDIOS
PIPPIN IN CONCERT – REVIEW – THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE
by Amy Rye
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 life … More PIPPIN IN CONCERT – REVIEW – THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE
RAGE ROOM – REVIEW – TRAVERSE THEATRE
by Ella Catherall
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 as … More RAGE ROOM – REVIEW – TRAVERSE THEATRE
INTERVIEW – LUCIE JONES
by Ellie Preston
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 point, … More INTERVIEW – LUCIE JONES