REVIEW: Excellence in All Areas by Laura Hall at Bread and Roses Theatre 7 – 9 August 2023

‘high energy show … a blast for excitement junkies’ ★★★ ½

The story follows the lives of bosom buddies at an elite private all-girls school.   Yazmin is all nose to the grindstone whereas Mollie is laid back and unconcerned, they are both high excitement junkies looking for sexual adventure – as only young women do … naively and with huge self-doubt.  Jealousy over a boyfriend leads to a rift. In the second act we join them again, this time during the university years when the results of their respective lifestyle choices and insecurities are highlighted. 

Although we are left with the feeling that the two girls are at the turning point, it really seems that we need a third act to reach a resolution.  The production is a blast from start to finish, with hyper energy from the actors Georgie Rodgers (Yazmin) and Becky Banner (Mollie). The writing is simply delicious with wonderful lines for the actors to play with. Becky Banner as Mollie was perfect on the night, with each facial expression bringing us closer to the character. 

I would like to see Georgie Rodgers as Yazmin pull back to calm down her character which would give more contrast between the pair, and also enable her to concentrate on giving more depth to her characterisation. The nervous energy right from the start could be far more sparingly used. Co-directors Laura Hall and Lottie Tolhurst have clearly decided to go all out on energy at the price of depth and it might be why it felt as though the resolution had not been reached. With more variation in energy, and more attention to Yazmin’s story, the play might feel complete. It’s a tricky line to draw but they do get the movement and use of the simple set exactly right. 

The show was quite riveting with no time to let the mind wander. It’s a very impressive premiere from emerging theatre company, Brave potatoes, and I look forward to seeing more of their work in the future.

Emerging theatre company Brave Potatoes

Excellence in All Areas

The Bread & Roses Theatre

7 – 9 August 2023

produced by Brave Potatoes Productions

Box Office: https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/whats-on.html

Cast & Creatives

Laura Hall (she/her) - Writer/ Co-Director

Lottie Tolhurst (she/her) - Co-Director

Siân Kayleigh (they/them) - Producer/ Marketing

Georgie Rodgers (she/her) - Yazmin

Becky Banner (she/her) – Mollie

Keep in touch with the company: https://linktr.ee/bravepotatoes

Reviewed by Heather Jeffery