Young Reviewers Competition

 

The winner of our Young Reviewers Competition is John Johnson. His review of ‘Bashment’ was a moving piece worthy of his prize.

John is aged 24 and currently studying Drama and Movement Therapy at Central School of Speech and Drama.

John will now join our Press Nights and review all our shows for 2006…

 

Review of Bashment
by John Johnson

‘Bashment’, Rikki Beadle-Blair’s new offering at Stratford East, is a real smack in the face . Almost all of our inbuilt judgements and feelings are challenged by a sharp script, stark imagery and emotionally charged performances .

At the interval I had to go outside into Gerry Raffles square to breathe deeply – the tension peaking in the tragically beautiful image laid on stage of a man and his disabled lover curling up to sleep . The audience reaction was tense at times, relaxed at others as we asked ourselves which character am I? Its this kind of work that the British theatre needs . Sure there were holes in the plot – the cross-dressing ‘MC KKK’ perhaps being an example . Sure the piece was loaded with a whole punch bag of issues . Sure the storyline was elaborate in scenes that could have been cut down. But it was brave and provocative – theatre that pumped hearts both on stage and in the audience .

A touching portrayal of Orlando by Anthony Newell, the character who is horrifically beaten up at a Bashment gig, gives an example of the beat running through this performance . There is real commitment from Newell – despite the uncomfortable horror of streams of blood being poured on his body during the beating, and this commitment can be seen throughout the strong ensemble .

If you want to see modern, issue-based theatre that challenges boundaries Bashment and Stratford East is where you should start . I would hazard a guess that Joan Littlewood would be turning a proud dancehall move or two in her grave.