REVIEW: GLORIA’S GIFT? Camden Fringe at Old Red Lion Theatre 29 July – 2 August 2024

‘Erica Tavares-Kouassi commands the stage and has the audience laughing straight away, in this effective show about disconnection’ ★★★★

Camden Fringe gets off to a good start with GLORIA’S GIFT at Old Red Lion Theatre. It is black box theatre with minimal sound and lighting, but every technical cue counts in this playful two-hander, with its laugh out loud moments. With strong performances and direction, the theme of isolation is neatly conveyed within the story.  Spoiler alert, the following gives away some key moments of the plot.

Erica Tavares-Kouassi is excellent in the eponymous role. Her command of the stage is immediate, and she has the audience laughing straight away with her bombastic performance, broken by a rude member of the audience who is apparently taking a call on her mobile. Gloria, angry at the disturbance, cajoles the person onto the stage to participate in her show.

Of course, it turns out to be all part of the act and a very significant one.  This is a show all about disconnection and the importance of being connected with others. It comes from the very top because Gloria, is actually God, with a name chosen by herself to represent all or perhaps none of the religions.  Having said that, she does points out that her name does feature in certain Catholic hymns.

Léona McLoughlin, as Babe, keeps up the act of being uncomfortable in the spotlight until there is a little shift in power, as she finds out Gloria’s weak spot, her loneliness. However, Gloria holds the trump card with the gift which she can bestow. 

McLoughlin is also the writer, and she doesn’t shy away from the big questions, the ones relevant to the theme, such as the big bang theory and human characteristics.   Tavares-Kouassi is convincing as the one who ‘made man in her own image’, with her very powerful presence, even managing a couple of miracles (which are in keeping with the playful delivery).

The show is tightly directed by Nicky Allpress, nothing fussy, just really good timing, on point with the humour yet managing to bring home the point about connectivity. If anyone doubted the sincerity of the show’s ambition to encourage change, then witness Tavares-Kouassi, persuading the audience to get on their phones giving the show a satisfying circularity and leaving us all chatting. 

GLORIA’S GIFT by Léona McLoughlin

Old Red Lion Theatre

29 July – 2 August 2024

Box Office https://camdenfringe.com/events/glorias-gift/

Erica Tavares-Kouassi as Gloria

Léona McLoughlin as Babe

Director – Nicky Allpress

Stage Manager – Carol Mannix