REVIEW: BLOODY INFLUENCERS @ BARONS COURT THEATRE

🎭 Bloody Influencers

📍 Barons Court Theatre, 28a Comeragh Road, London, W14 9HR

🗓 Wednesday 8th February 2023

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HONEST AND COMICALLY TRAGIC

What happens when social media consumes a person so much that all they think about is where the next like or follow is coming from? Bloody Influencers by Ben Mansbridge looks behind the Instagram grid and explores how far someone will go and the difference between real life and the life that's portrayed online.

This is a one woman show which is performed by Ena Begovic and I love how you were thrown straight into the story as soon as you enter the theatre. Begovic is there as her character Daisy Woolworth and she's taking selfies and filming videos! She invites audience members for selfies which she then shares to her Instagram account @daisy_beautyme meaning you're immersed straight into her world.

My pre-show selfie with my friend Estelle (left) and Daisy (right)

Daisy tells her story to the audience starting with the fact that her real name is Lucija Antonija Matic, but she changed it for social media! She always dreamt of being famous, even if that is just as an influencer, and she throws all her efforts into creating the perfect Instagram account.

This show is gripping from the start and has a perfect balance of realism and comedy which blends wonderfully. Begovic is sensational in this piece and engages the audience. She is believable as she takes you on her journey from fakery to reality via a relationship of convenience and a horrific accident.

The dark comedy element of this piece makes you wonder whether the accident was actually done on purpose as Daisy struggles to regain her standing after she falls victim of cancel culture.

As the story develops we see Daisy remove her wig and make-up and slowly transition back into Lucija. She starts to take control of her life away from social media and out from beneath the shadow of her sister.

The staging is simple yet effective

Barons Court Theatre is an intimate venue with the audience sat on three sides of the performance space. The direction by Sofia Zaragoza brilliantly allows for this so it wouldn't matter where you sat, I'm sure that you wouldn't miss a thing.

Bloody Influencers makes you question the grip that social media has on you personally and you worryingly recognise character traits from Daisy in yourself.

I highly recommend this show. It's an easy and enjoyable watch and is playing at Barons Court Theatre until Saturday 11th February. Head to www.baronscourttheatre.com to book tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being open and honest.

My tickets for this performance were gifted by The East London Theatre Collective who invited me to the Press Night to review the production.

Left to Right: Performer Ena Bergovic; Director Sofia Zaragoza; Writer Ben Mansbridge

Barons Court Theatre is a small 52 seater venue run by Kibo Productions. Founded in 1991 it features short-run plays which change weekly.