Theatre Royal Stratford East Archives

Tambo & Bones – Theatre Royal Stratford East

24Jun

By Gonzalo SentanaNo Comments

London

Tambo & Bones – Theatre Royal Stratford East

Theatre is always toying with the ideas of what is real and what is not. Even plays where that is not a theme expect from the audience certain agreement on the temporary reality of the fiction that will be seen. In Tambo & Bones, this is taken to a whole new level. This remarkable piece co-produced by Stratford East and Actors Touring Company, written by Dave Harris and directed by Matthew Xia presents us with the characters of Tambo, played by Rhashan Stone, and Bones, by Daniel Ward. These two characters appear in the first and second acts of the play, and then are replaced by Stone and Ward playing as what seems to be a version of themselves 400 years into the future. The story starts with Tambo and Jones playing two funny characters with simple props that are acknowledged by ...

Village Idiot – Theatre Royal Stratford East

20Apr

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

Village Idiot – Theatre Royal Stratford East

Village Idiot is a sincere, hearty, and refreshing story about two families and the different needs for freedom, independence and community. Riddled with stereotypes and generalisations, we watch the prejudice crumble under the light of community spirit. Presented by Ramps On The Moon, the portrayal of people with disabilities is acute and uncompromising, with strong characters, showing the liberties and infringements that they deal with. We see the characters at cross roads in their lives as a high-speed railway line being built forces them to up and leave. All of this is administered by Peter who has no qualms about evicting his grandma and brother. With lots of different goings on, the grandma, Barbara somehow finds out, peering through binoculars and causes chaos as she spills the s...

Gone Too Far! – Theatre Royal Stratford East

31Mar

By Gonzalo SentanaNo Comments

London

Gone Too Far! – Theatre Royal Stratford East

As a young immigrant, seeing one's own problems and conflicts being represented on stage is a strong message of resistance and support. When a text is straightforward and the acting is full of life, nothing can go wrong. Gone Too Far!, written by Bola Agbaje and Directed by Monique Touko, is a clear and dynamic play, being staged again in Theatre Royal Stratford East after premiering in 2007 as a commissioned work for the Royal Court Theatre. Here, problems are faced straight on, without any fears of provoking booing or indignation from the audience. I found myself sighing and sitting on the edge of my seat, uncomfortable with some of the situations that the main characters had to go through. As soon as the piece starts, we are introduced to the two main characters: Yemi, played by J...

3Jul

By Gaurav SinghNo Comments

London

Extinct – Theatre Royal Stratford East

As I walked through the exit doors of Theatre Royal Stratford East, two immediate thoughts struck me. First, a growing feeling of being overwhelmed (in a good way) by something I thought I knew but hadn’t fully grasped until just then. Second, a feeling of (self-conscious) irony that washed over me as I looked around for a recyclable bin to dispose of my complimentary-press-night beverage can. Unable to find one, I settled for a general use bin instead (I know, I know) and made my way home. Through this brief and exceedingly casual act that many of us probably undertake everyday without much thought, I was confronted by the central argument the show represents – human indifference in the face of a global extinction crisis. Extinct is a deeply gripping, hauntingly vivid call for action a...