REVIEW: UNDER THE TABLE by Aaron Thakar at Barons Court Theatre until 1 Feb 2025

‘New writing with power and nuance, bringing together the pressing issues of our time, performed in front of a packed theatre.’ ★★★★

Under the Table consists of four stories by Aaron Thakar, who also co-directs (with Jen Tucker). He is certainly a talent to watch. The stories take us through contemporary Britain with its austerity, culture wars, and race riots; and beyond, to an uncertain future. If it sounds heavy, it is not – The evening is punctuated with humour whilst not losing sight of the seriousness of the subject matter.

The first story is driven by Fraser Kelsey’s incredible performance as a fringe performer embarking on their first one person show. All manic energy and vulnerability, Fraser’s ill-fated interaction with the off-stage technician is ultimately distressing, and the intervention of another performer is moving. The second story sees a Tory candidate and her campaign chief kidnapped and held to account by Khalil (Demi Idowu), who also brings a former Labour MP (Maxina Cornwell), now suffering from dementia, to argue from an older, more compassionate perspective. Whenever the story threatens to veer into farce, the emotional depth of the actors’ performances highlight the injustices of a society that often seems to not care about its older and more vulnerable citizens.

The second act sees the so-called culture wars break out between DJ Rick (brilliantly played by Paul Giddings with the requisite charm and smarm) and various former female colleagues. If there was ever someone hiding in plain sight, it is Rick. Hardly far-fetched, Rick is almost tame compared to recent real-life stories in the media. And whereas in the first story we saw allyship and solidarity, here the victims are powerless and others are complicit. 

It is the final story where we see the long-term consequences of the hatred and oppression explored in the first three stories. Set in the future, with Muslims in Britain forced underground and the faith outlawed, it is the most challenging section of the evening. Last summer’s riots make the premise not totally implausible. Within this environment Harry (played by Thakar) makes bad personal decisions with disastrous consequences. His sister Nazia (Sasha Jagsi) calls him out, fights for the truth, and it is Jagsi’s visceral performance that is at the heart of this story, all righteous rage whilst the fight is gone from her brother. 

Under the Table is a really strong and engaging set of stories, and it is great that new writing with this power and nuance, bringing together the pressing issues of our time, is performed in front of a packed theatre. It will be interesting to see what the talented writer and cast do next. 

UNDER THE TABLE 

Playing at the Barons Court Theatre 21 Jan - 1 Feb 2025 

TICKETS https://www.baronscourttheatre.com/   

A Parkhouse Theatres and Itchy Feet Theatre co-production

Writer - Aaron Thakar

Directors - Aaron Thakar and Jen Tucker

Producers - Jen Tucker, Aaron Thakar

Lighting and sound design - Beth Scott

Cast:

Fraser Kelsey

Moya Matthews

Jacob Baird

Rachel Burnham 

Demi Idowu

Maxina Cornwell

Ella Jarvis

Paul Giddings

Sasha Jagsi

Aaron Thakar