REVIEW: Winter Writers Showcase at Blue Elephant Theatre 26 November 2023

‘they could all go on to more substantial works’ ★★★

Ilayda McIntosh and Sohaila Ferrier created Honey Theatre earlier this year and have focused on championing “inclusive and bold storytelling” about everyday life. Both are writers and actors and they collaborated in directing these plays. The five writers were given the brief of writing a script with up to four given characters in the setting of a Christmas party – the day after or the night before. The turn around was quick, only two and a half weeks from writing to the performance so the actors read from scripts onstage.

For the most part the actors did exceptionally well. Obviously, putting on a performance in such a short time meant that there was always a danger that something would appear a little rough around the edges. But, that didn’t really matter because it wasn’t really the point to put on a fantastic performance. This was about the writers, and if the audience’s response was anything to go by, it was a success for all of them. The place was packed, and the reception must have been very encouraging to them.

The first play was by Alwiyyah Saad whose goal is “to develop a long term and sustainable practice as a theatre maker, content creator and performing artist.” Writing on themes centred around “heritage, religion and queerness that encapsulate the internal landscape of black queer femme imagination.” Her play, ‘Isa not Jesus’ kicked off the evening with a strong performance by Jennifer Jade in the role of a cake shop owner trying to come to terms with the repercussions of a difficult relationship with her mother. Not the only one of the night to touch on the matriarchal influence. She was ably supported by Jake Bryan-Amaning who raised more than a few laughs from the audience. Cherukei Orianwo played the mother and brought a tangible sense of drama to the end of the piece.

 ‘Let’s Em-Brace the Christmas Party’ by Melanie Lam was next. Melanie is a writer, spoken word artist, lyricist, actor and accountant. She has danced on stage in the west end, won acclaim in international song writing competitions, had poetry published and acted in theatre and film. With the evening off to a good start Rachel Craig’s conservative and patronising Rya continued to entertain. In this play’s office party she finds herself talking to Sam, played by Eve Cong, a sultry, indifferent temp. Their conflicting views of life are brought to a head when Rya’s son, Aaron played by Adam Wadge arrives. All three acted well as did William Barnor in his brief appearance as the Boss. An increase in tempo could have lifted the ending, which in itself, was a farcical slapstick free-for-all with the three characters fighting their corners and standing up for their own opinions. It was another professionally written piece which went down well and got many laughs.

Lucie Long is a writer and performer whose work “focuses on queer identities, loneliness, unconventional bodies and notions of home making as resistance. She likes to write funny and absurd characters who move in and out of categories society imposes upon them.” ‘Nutcrackers’ is set at a Christmas party in a ballet school. It again addresses the mother and daughter theme amongst other things and brought the first half of the show to an end. Bringing down the mood at this point in the proceedings gives everyone a little time during the interval to digest the more serious issues in this play. That isn’t to say the other four did not do that too or that this one did not have its lighter moments. Cherukei Orianwo solidly played the co-founder of the ballet school who almost despair at Jessie, her ex-partner’s daughter. Another good performance by Jennifer Jade expressed contempt for ballet regardless of how much talent Jessie had. Isabel Lamers and Jessica Enemokwu fitted in well in the other two roles.

The second half was restarted with Kayleigh Mai Hinsley’s ‘A ghost play for Christmas.’ She is a playwright, dramaturg and facilitator and writes stories that “balance humour and darkness and use metaphor and absurdism to provoke and entertain.” An unusual idea to use non-human characters though this one managed well enough with four ghosts. When will someone write characters who are inanimate objects I wonder? Eve Cong’s Marli was disappointed until the knowledge of being a poltergeist livened her up. William Banor’s Nick was funny, and Adam Wadge’s Philip was a Lurch-like something straight out of the Addams Family. Rachel Craig rounded off the quartet with another good performance.

To end the night, we had Aine McNamara’s play ‘Our Frank’. Aine is an actor and writer who writes about life in Brent, the Irish diaspora and football. Jessica Enemokwu got the ball rolling in this our final play with some drunken shouting from the crowd. Then continued to portray Mikey’s drunken wife with some subtly underplayed and brilliantly timed comments that stuck the boot in from the sideline during his argument with Tommy. This had the feel of a laddish gangster movie thanks to great performances by William Barnor and Adam Wadge. Though we must not forget the writer who gave us a vivid portrayal of some drunken macho bravado albeit with some very emotive passion.

When it came to the final whistle everyone retired to the real bar for some well-earned praise and drinks. With some good performances from the whole team, it looks like they could all go on to more substantial works. And in extra time, we must really say a big thank you to Ilayda McIntosh and Sohaila Ferrier for setting up the game nicely.

Blue Elephant http://www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/

Twitter: @BETCamberwell

Reviewed by Robert McLanachan

As an actor, Robert has performed in many fringe theatres in London playing leading roles in plays by Noel Coward, Oscar Wilde, Neil Simon, Chekhov and Moliere. Has also written and acted in performances at The Old Vic and Young Vic.

In film as an SA he has worked on Star Wars, James Bond, Fantastic Beasts, Mission Impossible and dozens of other films.

He is currently writing his first and last play.