REVIEW: GUMBO presents Are you lovin’ it? Clapham Fringe Festival at Bread and Roses Theatre 14-15 October 2023

‘What is really in those burgers? It is a question which goes well beyond ‘WacDonalds’’ ★★★★

Theatre Group GUMBO, from Osaka in Japan, was established by Director Kayo Tamura in 1994. The group has performed original works in 33 cities in 10 countries and received many awards. So, it seems apt that the show is chosen to be the final production of the Clapham Fringe Festival, to go out with a bang (until next year’s festival which is sure to bring ever more surprises). 

It certainly is a surprise, to see Anime style performances all the way from Japan, but not so surprising given the pub’s historical links to social reform. Amongst all the capers of the company there is a strong political current.

The performances concentrate on several characters and themes. These include the Japanese Business man and the Japanese mother. Whilst the Japanese Business man is easily recognisable (who hasn’t heard of the extremes of company loyalty), the Japanese Mother is a little bit lost in translation. She doesn’t appear to like her baby and there’s obviously a Japanese spin on this, but I certainly failed to understand it.  Skits on American themes are also running through the show. It’s easy to understand the Donald Trump jibes and the running theme of the cultural domination of America (or the West) being shown through ‘WacDonalds’ sketches. These are very clever and insightful, reminding us of how far we are all drawn into the madness, buying into brands. What is really in those burgers? It is a question which goes well beyond ‘WacDonalds’. 

There are many other sketches, too numerous to mention them all but it is fair to say that the company don’t shy away from giving offence, satirising Jesus as a kind of advertising package.   It seems that no-one escapes the keen eye of GUMBO.   Whilst giving its political message, it is laugh out loud funny. Perhaps the overall ‘message’ that we might take away from it is ‘are you lovin’ it’, are you loving this shared investigation of culture. Can we begin to understand the Japanese a little better after seeing this show?  Er … not really sure, but judging by the response to the show, yes, we are lovin’ it.

Image: Sue Brenner

Are you lovin’ it ?

Written by Theatre Group GUMBO Directed by Kayo Tamura

Casts: Kayo Tamura, Nono Miyasaka, Ryo Nishihara

GUMBO website http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~gumbo/

Twitter: @TheatreGumbo

Reviewed by Heather Jeffery