REBOOT FESTIVAL 2023 | Week One
🎭Week One of Barons Court Theatre’s Reboot Festival kicks off with a banging collection of brand-new works from a slew of international artists, who are unafraid to tackle urgent, timely issues alongside broad, provocative themes that are often difficult to convey through a theatrical medium🎭
Gender affirmation, trans acceptance and body positivity ring out in John Mabey’s Little Black Dress, where we witness a seemingly cisgendered, heterosexual couple come to grips with the new reality of queer coupledom. While the script occasionally leans towards exposition, the immediate acceptance from the female partner of her significant other's identity feels too expedient. Nonetheless, hearts were melted by the duo’s happy ending…
…In Anna Clart’s Just Nod, the silence resounds as an unidentified mental health issue is approached with lyricism and a hint of levity. A woman struggles to wrangle a single word from her despondent sister in an overwrought scene. An interpretive dance is a confusing insert, and, though visually striking, feels disjointed, emphasising visuals over context...
…A teacher is in trouble after opening the classroom door for a student during a routine active shooter drill, but is she to blame? John Minigan’s Closing Doors scrutinises the ethics and effectiveness of measures against gun violence in American schools. While the narrative's witch hunt angle might stretch credulity, juicy discourse and committed performances keep us engaged…
…The second half of the evening narrows its focus with a series of more self-reflective explorations. The first: why on earth did I marry this man? In Stephen Dierkes’ Bound Set, a fiery wife finds herself taken hostage with a husband who speaks like he ‘just fell out of a turnip truck’. Though veering into gimmicky territory at times, the dynamic between a straight-talking wife and her seemingly simple-minded husband elicits some side-splitting laughter…
…Nina Tolstoy’s My Ghost transports us to horror, as an elder encounters his deceased son. Or is it his carer, intriguingly infatuated with the man’s physician? Though the eerie premise of the narrative is intriguing, the carer's whimsical stage presence muddles clarity. If her role is pivotal to the enigma, it remains too enigmatic...
…Ariana Rose’s Dating Pool delves into the horror of re-entering the dating scene after a long hiatus. As age 61 confronts memories of ages 16, 23, 36, and 49, we're immersed in a Churchill-esque tableau, and captivated by her myriad dating adventures…
…It’s safe to say that many of these new works are very much in progress. They touch on significant themes but—for now— often just graze the surface. Several pieces yearn for depth and innovation yet find themselves ensnared in familiar theatrical tropes. That said, we look forward to seeing these pieces develop and come into their own🤩
Reboot Festival 2023 is now at Barons Court Theatre, London, 5-23 September. Book tickets here