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Bit parts: Garry Starr Performs Everything @swkplay

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Garry Starr Performs Everything is a bare-bones (and bare buttocks) tribute to the theatre. Theatre may be in trouble, and audiences are down, but Garry Starr aims to save the theatre and bring back to the masses every style of theatre possible. As long as each style involves wearing a transparent white leotard or a skimpy thong. And tassels. It's part comedy, part physical comedy and part perv at Gary's physical prowess. The sentiment "if you've got it, flaunt it" applies here. So here we are with a show that has been around for some years and is having its first proper London run at the Southwark Playhouse (Borough) through Christmas. The premise is that Garry Starr (played by Damien Warren-Smith) has left the Royal Shakespeare Company over artistic differences. He is now on a mission to save the theatre from misrepresentation and worthy interpretations by doing things such as a two-minute Hamlet, recreating scenes from a Pinter play using unsuspecting audience

Peace is our profession: The Acedian Pirates @Theatre503


Keeping the peace and stopping depravity is all and good, but in The Acedian Pirates it comes with a few unintended consequences. It is an evocative and testosterone-fuelled piece currently running at Theatre 503.

Watching this piece had me pondering what Donald Rumsfeld said once about unknown unknowns. After all this piece is set in some unknown remote lighthouse in some unknown battleground. The mission is unknown and the outcome also unknown. You’re as confused as the characters about the point of it all, but you get drawn into it anyway. There is never a dull moment with the fights, the explosions and a strange lady upstairs.




What it all means is an unknown. Perhaps it is that war and the best intentions lead down the same path. There is the unit desperate to go home after a long tour of duty. But a new arrival starts asking questions about their mission’s purpose and things start to unravel. Soon even the most peaceful of missions seems awfully violent.

With a claustrophobic set, a strong cast and a brisk pace, things move quickly enough to sustain your interest.

But at times you are never sure whether you should be laughing or taking things seriously. It’s as if panto season has come early and these naughty bored soldiers are out doing outrageous atrocities.

Acedia is a noun, from Greek akēdia, meaning apathetic listlessness or a moral failing. More apathy and listlessness might have helped.

Still the piece, which was shortlisted for the inaugural Theatre 503 Playwrighting Award, is fascinating all the same. Written by Jay Taylor and directed by Bobby Brook, it runs at Theatre 503 until November 14.

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎

Photo credits: Production photos by Savannah Photographic


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