Scarlett Sunday – Omnibus Theatre

Obsession and dark secrets of the infamous artist Ray Blackwood and what lay behind the enigma of a painting named Scarlett Sunday. Following the death of Blackwood, it was now left to his daughter Ava played by Camilla Aiko an introverted girl still living in the family home with her demons. This play was simplistic in its form and told the story of Yasmin, played by Sorcha Kennedy an excitable rather intense arts author curious to find out more about Blackwood, the man who inspired her career in the arts, a man she had feelings for and was hungry in pursuit to get the exclusive scoop on his unseen masterpiece Scarlet Sunday.

The set is staged first in a coffee shop for their first meeting which sees both characters sparring with each other over childhood memories, the arts and a plan to collaborate a story together to celebrate the work of Blackwood.  As the story unfolds Yasmin is invited to Ava’s home the studio under the impression she will now be the first to see and experience the painting firsthand. Yasmin did not expect to experience the dark secret secrets Ava was about to divulge in attempt to engage Yasmin to help rid her of the demons within; a cry for help and release from being the ‘subjects’ of Blackwood’s her fathers’ art.      

“Scarlet Sunday is a two-hander that delves into the struggle to reconcile great works of art with dark deeds of their creators” Can art be separated from their dark deeds of their creators, are we complicit with their crimes if we admire their art. To bring to the fore artistic expression of reality as ART and the meaning of this ART is in the eye of the beholder offers up a new dimension of reflection. References to Picasso being a misogynist portrayed through his art offers up such supposition.       

This poignant context was so clear to the viewer and portrayed very well by both characters. Yasmin and Ava were convincing in their abilities to add humour and share emotional reflection with each other. There were times watching Yasmin that I could see Catherine Tate’s character Lauren which put a smile on my face, Yasmin was animated and so convincing that you are drawn into her character within the first five minutes.

Lighting, staging was appropriate and simplistic in a good way to be able to view each character at all times; a very good play with a little bit of everything.   

Playing until 17th March, https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/scarlet-sunday/

Reviewer: Michelle Knight

Reviewed: 1st March 2024  

North West End UK Rating