REVIEW: Do you remember this is the play I was telling you about by Piero Grandinetti at The Hen and Chickens Theatre 11-14 August 2023

‘Bring your imagination and perhaps a strong drink’ ★★★

A table with a crystal ball and a candle lies to stage right. Yet, nothing will be predictable. The scene opens with a toddler and father playing ‘peekaboo’ while tiny green lights move around the space. Soon, a new character in a black plastic hoodie arrives, eyes hidden, and she eventually transforms into a fluffy white dress with feathery edges. 

Four talented people display their performance skills in this piece: there are skits and clowning and dancing (with wigs on) and impromptu interaction with the audience. They have fun on stage and while asking some deep questions about life as a through line. With Moon River as a theme song.

One monologue asks, “Do you remember before you were born?” and theorises a fantastical and yet somehow convincing story of how humans come to be. A ghost has some ghastly fun with local residents. A gerbil named Malcolm interacts with the audience.

Devised, and at times seemingly improvised and ad-libbed, there are good messages throughout, about listening to people’s stories and that life can be fulfilling at whatever age you are, that no-one is truly alone. And, of course, the modelling of having wacky fun.

Everything in this play transforms, evolves, crosses over into other dimensions. Bring your imagination and perhaps a strong drink in hand.

Box Office https://camdenfringe.com/events/do-you-remember-that-this-is-the-play-i-was-telling-you-about/

Written by Piero Grandinetti

Performed by Piero Grandinetti, Lynn Grandinetti, Michael Jempeji, Penny Klein

Sound & Lighting technician: Venus Raven

Composer & Sound Design: Jim Whitcher

Reviewed by Mariam Mathew