🎭 Under The Table
📍 Barons Court Theatre, 28a Comeragh Road, London, W14 9HR
🗓 Tuesday 21st January 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, WONDERFULLY ACTED
Presented by Parkhouse Theatres and Itchy Feet Theatre UNDER THE TABLE is the new play from Aaron Thaker and is currently playing at London's Barons Court Theatre.
Broken down into four different plays - Sex; Politics; Money; Religion - UNDER THE TABLE is a comment on the state of both society and politics in modern day Britain. Although each part is completely separate, they are connected by similar themes with a strong observation of privilege and social standing. How easy it is to be the puppet master when you're the one in control of the strings.
SEX follows a recently heartbroken and emotionally vulnerable actor as he prepares to perform his fringe show. He turns up to the performance space where his state allows him to fall for the false charm of the technician who is meant to be helping him. Fraser Kelsey performs this piece almost completely solo and is mesmerising from the start. He is utterly believable and as his fascade drops and his emotions are laid bare, your heart breaks for him. His timing was impeccable as he seemed to be playing against a recording but this was expertly done.
In POLITICS we learn just how desperate those at the bottom of society's ladder can be as they become increasingly disillusioned with the government and the lack of help they recieve. Demi Idowu expertly displays the anguish of his character as he takes political candidates hostage in his flat to plead his case to them. Rachel Burnham and Jacob Baird ingeniously display everything that agitates us about the pomposity and blatent arrogance of those working in politics, while Maxina Cornwell is wonderfully loveable as the somewhat senile voice of reason.
MONEY looks at how a well-known radio host responds when accusations are made about him publicly. Paul Giddings is great as he shows just how far someone so self-centered will go to clear their own name, even if that involes lies, manipulation and belittlement.
RELIGION takes explores how someone's beliefs can affect the way they are viewed by others and looks at the lengths people will go to for acceptance and profit. We follow Hassan who has adopted the more western sounding name of Harry as he prepares to sell religious artifacts at an underground auction, until his sister turns up to throw a spanner in the works and reveal his true identity. Aaron Thakar and Sasha Jagsi are electric on the stage as the high emotions between them are felt throughout the audience.
UNDER THE TABLE looks at media manipulation and how stories can be warped to fit a narrative, and of course it's those of a certain ethnicity, class or social standing that end up on top. This is a sublime piece of theatre. The writing is incredible and I am excited to see what's next from this emerging young talent. The level of acting on display was utterly phenominal. Rarely will you see such an exquisite cast tell a story so coherently.
This really is a theatrical masterclass like no other. The compelling narrative and sublime performances made me leave the theatre in awe of what I had witnessed. It also made me think about the issues covered and in each part you try and put yourself into that situation and think about how you would react to the unfolding situation, as in most scenarios you can relate to characters on all sides of the story.
I cannot prasie this piece enough. I wish I could award more than 5 stars to UNDER THE TABLE and I haven't stopped thinking about it. This is theatre at its very best. If you only see one play this year, then you can't go wrong with choosing this one. It is playing at Barons Court Theatre until Saturday 1st February. Click here to secure your tickets now.
Neill Kovacic-Clarke
All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.
My ticket for this performance of Under The Table was gifted by Itchy Feet Theatre who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.
CAST LIST:
Madeline Dowds as Lucy Fern; Fraser Kelsey as Fraser; Harry Jarvis as Sam; Moya Matthews as Naomi/Cindy; Demi Idowu as Khalil; Maxina Cornwell as Linda/Bianca; Rachel Burnham as Sarah; Jacob Baird as Oliver/Hugo; Paul Giddings as Rick; Ella Jarvis as Julia; Scott Cooper-Holmes as Douglas; Ophelia Hiebert as Laila; Aaron Thakar as Hassan; Sasha Jagsi as Nazia
RUNNING TIME (approx):
2 hours 30 minutes, with no interval
CONTENT WARNINGS:
Strong Language; Sexual themes; Sezual assult; Violence; Death; Religious persecution
AGE RECOMMENDATION:
14+
Comments