The Hidden Review: So...you knew? - Theatre Review

 

"So...you knew?"

The THR watched at the Barons Court Theatre "So...you knew?" written by Bart Bartolini and directed by Maria Cristina Petitti. During a week of mixed weather, it was very apt to see a solo show dealing with the climate change crisis that was told in such a powerfully uplifting way.

The performer Bart Bartolini is terrific as he takes us on an energetic, funny and thought-provoking journey from the early eighties to the present day and beyond into the future, playing various characters with great confidence and charisma.

Primarily Willie, a former scientist who uncovers the truth about carbon dioxide emissions while working at Essen Mobil and balancing life with his wife and child.

Moreover, using a backdrop projector adds a very engaging multidimensional aspect to the show, whilst the lighting and overall design, at times overwhelming, keep the audience intrigued and mesmerised.

At the same time, the director Maria Cristina Petitti uses some interesting techniques and concepts that keep the momentum going throughout, like breaking the fourth wall and involving the audience in a quiz, and even Bartolini breaking out in dance, song or conversing in other languages.

However, this play is not only hugely entertaining and engaging, but it also educates and raises awareness of the global climate change crisis and is a stark reminder that we are all responsible for the future of our planet.

Overall, this show can go further afield and comes highly recommended to anyone interested in theatre performance with a strong message handled with lightness, humour and, therefore, a great deal of hope.

Hidden Fire stars 9/10 ⭐️

Review written by Tino Orsini

© 2023 The Hidden Review

The Hidden Review: Bubu Killer King - Theatre Review

The Hidden Review has watched "Bubu Killer King" at Babolin Theatre, online theatre is odd, but, when executed well, it can be used to great effect. The challenge of an unknown medium poses a lot of opportunities, and Babolin Theatre takes this to the extreme in an exciting way. Bubu Killer King is ludicrous, absurd and comical, but much like a lot of Babolin's work, underneath this is a sharp satire, witty political commentary and a strong creative force. Bubu Killer King is essentially an unconventional interpretation of the Alfred Jarry classic 'Ubu Roi', and the banal absurdism of Jarry lends itself to a deconstructed theatre performance. At its core, it is a parody of Macbeth, which goes off the rails fairly quickly. The show is performed in solo performances which allow you to stumble your own way through the already confusing narrative of Ubu. While this presented an opportunity for differing perspectives and subplots, the story became hard to follow and confusing, but after all, this is Jarry and 'pataphysics, so a conventional three-act narrative was never on the menu.

The individual performances are generally good, and each scene adopts a different style, from cabaret to folk songs, mockumentary and director's cut the show is very meta and self-referential. Occasionally it gets a little too clever and steeped in irony, but on the whole, this works well. All in all, it is good to see theatre again, whatever form it takes. Babolin has undeniably worked hard to hold onto and capture the magic of theatre in new ways where the ones we are used to are no longer available. The show is undeniably innovative and creative, and it's good to know that political satire doesn't get put on hold by a pandemic, at a time when we must hold our politicians to account.

Hidden Fire stars 7/10 ⭐️

© 2022 The Hidden Review