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Two Ladies: La Bella Bimba at Barons Court Theatre / Canal Cafe Theatre

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T hey sing. They dance. They clown around. They even wash clothes! Such is the story of La Bella Bimba, part of the Voila Theatre Festival, which highlights new and emerging artists. A tale of two Italian ladies who land in 1920s New York, trying to break into Broadway without speaking a word of English. It’s harmless, primarily even if a little nonsensical, and is currently playing as part of the Voila! Theatre Festival .  I caught the performance at the Barons Court Theatre , where the intimate setting created an evocative atmosphere reminiscent of dark New York alleyways. The space was almost claustrophobic with a distinct smell of rising damp, making you feel immersed in the story of two Ladies hanging around the theatre doors of Broadway. On the plus side, the theatre has some of the most comfortable seats you will find in any pub theatre in London. As the naive and hopeful singers, Co-creator Lucrezia Galeone as Carlotta and Sarah Silvestri as Cecilia are fine singers with co...

Urban renewal: Flesh & Bone @Sohotheatre

From the beginning of Flesh & Bone, it’s a noisy in your face portrait of life on an East London council estate. It’s almost as if you expect them to punch any member of the audience checking their phone. Or leaving to go to the bathroom. They shout at the audience, they even pick one up so a baby can be delivered on their seat. It’s currently playing upstairs at The Soho Theatre.

But amongst the loud mouths, drug dealers and geezers there’s a bunch of rough but loveable characters emerge. Even if you still remain unsure if want to share a pint with them.

It could be considered a follow up to Berkoff’s East, given it’s reliance on verse and comedy. But it is less confronting. And the attempt to throw the threat of council eviction towards the end seems contrived. But it’s still a clever piece of writing. Aside from the fast-talking and fast paced action, it sets up a series of characters that have you wanting to know more about them. 

There’s Terrence (Elliot Warren) and his bird Kelly (Olivia Brady). He seems to be unable to hold down a job and she earns money working a sex line talking to dirty old men. There’s his brother Reiss (Michael Jinks) who works in a Soho bar and wants to be a geezer. And be fabulous. Grandad (Nick T Frost) who thinks he’s a standup comedian and passes the time chatting to a woman on a sex line. Living downstairs is tough looking drug dealer Jamal (Alessandra Babalola). But he’s really a little boy only earning money to take care of his sick mother. 

Written and directed by Elliot Warren and co-directed by Olivia Brady, Flesh and Bone runs at the Soho Theatre until 21 July only. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Photos by Owen Baker

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