Ben Pearson, Author at North West End UK

6May

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

WEER – Soho Theatre Walthamstow

I was exhausted as I sat down in the newly opened Soho Theatre Walthamstow to watch Natalie Palamides’ WEER. It had been a long day at work and, if I’m honest, I needed a bit of a pick-me-up. Luckily, Palamides more than delivered. I am not exaggerating when I say that WEER was one of, if not the funniest plays I have ever seen. The premise is simple; Palamides’ plays both sides of a couple in turmoil. And I mean that literally. One side of her, ‘Mark’, sports a beard, wig, and stereotypically masculine clothes, whilst the other side, ‘Christina’, wears a dress. At least to start with… the number of costume changes Palamides managed to pull off was something to behold. I was amazed by how distinct Palamides’ portrayals of Mark and Christina were. They each had unique physical mannerisms...

21Apr

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

Boxed In – The Old Red Lion

Mental health is a topic very close to my heart, so I was intrigued to watch Boxed In. This debut play written, directed and performed by Rebecca Weston Wright follows a young woman, A, who is trapped inside a featureless prison-like room and forced to confront her demons. These demons are given voice in the form of a small wooden box, which acts as the inner monologue of self-loathing that often accompanies and depression. There are moments of genuine and moving insight in Boxed In. Wright offers a thoughtful and vulnerable commentary on the relentless internal battles faced by those struggling with mental health whilst sprinkling in enough observational humour to stop the experience becoming utterly miserable. A’s impression of a boss demanding she perfectly perform an endless series ...

25Feb

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

Otherland – Almeida Theatre

Otherland is a remarkable, poignant, and emotionally all-encompassing play that explores love, the beautiful and terrifying nature of change, and the ‘many myriads’ of womanhood. In her ‘Note from the Author’, Chris Bush states that she aimed to ‘write with a vulnerability’ she never had before, but nonetheless create a ‘theatrically expansive… rollercoaster’. Well, if that was the goal, she’s passed with flying colours. Jo and Harry, despite a picture-perfect wedding and 5 years or marriage, are breaking up. Harry, assigned male at birth, needs to become her true self and Jo, though entirely supportive of Harry’s decision, needs space to figure out what she wants. She wants to be ‘unplugged’, for a while at least. We’re offered a window into their lives and the journeys they go on, bot...

20Jan

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

Totally Fine – The Hope Theatre

A therapist in mandated therapy, what could possibly go wrong? Susanna Wolff’s one-woman dark comedy, Totally Fine, exposes the stresses and strains that come with being a therapist. Her character, a therapist who remains nameless, insists she is ‘totally fine’ and this whole therapy session is pointless. Somehow, that seems unlikely. The script, written by Wolff, is tightly crafted and exceptionally clever. Even the seemingly inconsequential jokes having pay offs, combined with a slowly unravelling mystery, keep the audience engaged throughout, culminating in an earned and effective finale. Wolff manages to peel back the layers of our protagonist, deftly dancing between comedy and tragedy without ever losing momentum. Not a single line is wasted, no mean feat in a one-person show. W...

19Nov

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

Kindliness – Barons Court Theatre

Set in mythical country torn apart by war, Kindliness tells the story of a man (Malcolm) who must choose between his family and the young immigrant (Mimmi) with whom he is having an affair. Writer and producer Daniel Chaves, who also plays Malcolm, has crafted a script which attempts to tackle themes of xenophobia, racism, and tribalism. As such, Kindliness is a direct response to the many atrocities and conflicts ongoing around the world. The premise is certainly promising and, combined with Jenny Eastop’s dynamic direction, Kindliness had the ingredients to be a poignant, timely production. Indeed, when the show is firing on all cylinders, such as whenever Malcolm’s wife, Amara, delivers casual and cutting xenophobic comments, it is raw, haunting and depressingly real. Sadly, howe...

13Nov

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

MOREAU – The Drayton Arms’ Theatre

MOREAU, the debut production of Exciting Stories, is a contemporary re-telling of H.G. Wells’ horror classic The Island of Dr. Moreau which explores themes of ‘memory, therapy, identity, rebellion and ultimately, hope’. Writer and director Phil Stewart and co-writer H.S. Fernandez have crafted a compelling, evocative, and philosophically intriguing script which (for the most part) well balances abstract and challenging concepts with grounded characters. Beginning with a powerful, almost animalistic piece of physical theatre, courtesy of movement director Luca Villa, MOREAU never lets the energy drop, keeping the audience equally engaged in scenes ranging from quiet reflection to a brutal operation. This is in no doubt due to the stupendously energetic performances of the cast. Jimmy...

A Jaffa Cake Musical – Pleasance Courtyard

21Aug

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

Scotland

A Jaffa Cake Musical – Pleasance Courtyard

While A Jaffa Cake Musical is by no means the most extravagant musical at the Fringe, you’d be hard-pressed to find a show that fills you with more child-like glee. Based loosely on the 1991 trial in which the nature of a Jaffa cake (not biscuit) was decided, Gigglemug’s new musical is hilarious, surprisingly informative, and filled to the brim with catchy songs. The story mostly follows Kevin, played with giddy optimism by Sam Cochrane, who is the defence lawyer hired by the Jaffa Cake company to prove that Jaffa Cakes are indeed cakes not biscuits. In typical musical fashion, Kevin’s parents are devastated he chose to become a lawyer rather than an actor: ‘Why would you want stability when you could be performing in a musical?’ His rival, Katherine, is the far more accomplished of...

The Academy Trust: Under New Management – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

20Aug

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

Scotland

The Academy Trust: Under New Management – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

Mode Theatre’s The Academy Trust: Under New Management is a comedy, written and performed by teachers, that exposes the horrifying realities of modern-day teaching. Taking place over the course of a few days, the show weaves through a series of hilarious yet endlessly relatable scenarios, culminating in the dreaded world book day. The centre of the piece is Rachel, who is internally battling over whether or not to hand in her resignation amidst all the changes at the school. Not only does this make for some great comedic beats, but it wonderfully encapsulates the debate that many teachers are facing. How can anyone continue to teach in an environment that demands so much and provides so little? The three performers, I was sadly unable to find their names, all demonstrated an impr...

Sisters Three – Summerhall Anatomy Lecture Theatre

18Aug

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

Scotland

Sisters Three – Summerhall Anatomy Lecture Theatre

TheatreGoose’s Sisters Three is a highly accomplished piece of theatre that takes the audience on an enchanting, funny and often moving journey. The premise is relatively simple; the titular sisters from Chekov’s masterpiece, Irina, Masha and Olaga, are aware that they are in a play (don’t worry you don’t need to have read it). But when Irina wishes for the lives of any other sisters, in any other medium, the three are taken on a whirlwind journey ranging from Greek tragedy and Shakespeare to historical figures and the Sugababes. Writer and director Emma Howlett’s script manages to discuss a range of philosophical and academic questions, including the nature of happiness and freedom, and the place of women within literature, whilst remaining endlessly entertaining. Frequent movement...

17Aug

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

Scotland

Covenant – Greenside @ George St

Set in an extreme but terrifyingly realistic world in which women’s bodies are controlled and monitored by the government, Turning Point Theatre Company’s Covenant highlights the impact that banning abortion has on women. Bonnie, played wonderfully by Nell Lang, wakes up after a night-out knowing something is wrong. Her friends Gen, Margot Pue, and Rachel, Catriana Tashjian, attempt to convince Bonnie that she is merely hungover but, when Bonnie discovers her own blood-soaked sheet, the true events of the previous night are revealed. I won’t discuss the plot here, much of the suspense derives from the twisting journey both Bonnie and the audience are taken on, but it is highly effective. Writer Laura Walker has crafted a script that simultaneously grips and haunts the audience. You ...