Come into the life of two or 14 characters, from birth to death, and live, laugh, sing and cry with them. We challenge you not to. That could be in the doorstep of Tara Theatre when “SHE” is on.
“SHE”, written by Anthony Clark, is a play comprised by seven short plays. Though largely unconnected, the stories remain attached one to the other through the work of the two young actors on an almost unchanging space, that becomes resignified through the words and actions of the characters in each piece. The interestingly simple design of the space, in charge of Jessica Curtis, domestic but ambiguous, makes us believe that all those spaces could actually look like that, precarious and almost decadent, yet endearing and warm.
Loosely inspired by the Seven Ages speech in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, the plays try to cover the whole length of life experiences in these seven stages. From childhood, lived through motherhood, youth experienced through growth and change, passion and the conflicts of relationships, commitment to ideals and its consequences, the lack of commitment in the need for answers, and the face of death. The last piece, though amusing, brings us to a present lacking the absurdity and intensity of the previous six pieces, where everything seems possible. All the characters are in their 20s and the plays talk about these existential themes from the lens of women in that age.
Safeena Ladha and Chenise Lynette, the two actors in charge of taking us to with them this trip, undertake a heroic work for two hours, going from young mothers to dying women, and encompassing almost any imaginable emotion along the way. Every time they sang it felt like being taken to another dimension, floating and living in them and through them. The lightning design by Ros Chase really contributed to this ethereal feeling, particularly in those moments of introspection and reflection through singing.
Special remarks deserve the performance of Ladha as the unnamed lover that goes through an impressive transition from ultimate passion and sensuality to anger and disheartening, and the exhilarating spiritism session that two characters undertake together, looking for answers to life. The direction by Anthony Clark, Maddy Corner and Poppy Sutch takes great advantage of the talents of these two incredible actors to show us 14 different ways of being a woman, compassionately and humorously. The background music that made its presence at moments felt slightly out of place, though it did not really disturb any of the scenes.
Finally, although the writing seems a bit on the nose in its intentions and in the way the characters seem to be wanting to deliver their discourse instead of going through whatever is put in front of them, the actors do an amazing job at keeping it real and reminding us that these characters could be living next door and be going through these same things.
If not for anything else, this show is worth seeing for the challenging task the actors go through, and how they and their characters face life on stage.
Reviewer: Gonzalo Sentana
Reviewed: 9th February 2022
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★