REBOOT FESTIVAL 2023 | Week Two

🎭Week Two of Barons Court Theatre’s Reboot Festival offers a sizzling assortment of micro-plays primed to combust…

First up: ‘The Dying Speech of a Living Legend’ by Daniel Connelly. A recently-deposed ruler in an unknown time has ordered his loyal servant to kill him… three times. The cast’s stellar comedic timing and well-sculpted characters shine in just 10 minutes, but we’re left wondering if the regent's monologue risks overstaying its welcome…

In a John Hughes-style turn, ‘Spark’ by Siân Rowland beams with poetic verve and 80s nostalgia. Clear directorial motifs guide us through the show’s transient timeline, while a subtle plot twist simmers, gradually revealing deeper, darker themes.

‘Road Trip’ by Katherine Vondi, although stilted at times, successfully subverts the romcom. An ‘odd couple’ looks forward to their first road trip together, but as the trip progresses, unexpected truths are unearthed.. The unfolding narrative is a masterclass in slow-burning revelations, culminating in a gut-punch emotional ambush.

Rounding off is ‘Things Unsaid’ by Reagan Payne, where 'shadow actors' give voice to the suppressed qualms of a mismatched duo  on a pivotal date. Despite some overzealous performances, the raucous authenticity resonates deeply.

How to round up Week Two of Reboot Festival in three words?  Juicy, inventive, and heartfelt🩷... 

Reboot Festival 2023 is now at Barons Court Theatre, London, 5-23 September. Book tickets here