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Talking to Strangers at the Soho Theatre

July 7, 2016 by Alex Wood Leave a Comment

Review of: Talking to Strangers
Produced by:
Soho Theatre
Price:
Various

Reviewed by: Alex Wood
Rating:
3
On July 7, 2016
Last modified:July 7, 2016

Summary:

Talking to Strangers is certainly a safe affair, with the gags coming at a consistent pace. Some characters perhaps overstayed their welcome while I was left yearning for even more from others

More Details

is the latest comedic endeavour from Sally Philips and Lily Bevan. The two veterans, renown for their television and radio careers, here supply an hour’s worth of monologues, each oscillating on and off stage, shoving a new character in front of us before whisking them offstage again.

There is a harmless glee to proceedings – the anonymity of each new ‘stranger’ that appears wipes the slate clean, giving the pair the chance to throw themselves into something completely new every five minutes. Its a useful, albeit simple construction, essentially tagging in and out yet never (unfortunately) coming together at any stage to present a double act. Indeed, rather than being Sally Philips and Lily Bevan, this is much more Sally Philips and Lily Bevan (note the difference in italicisation) – the two essentially performing in complete autonomy from one another throughout the show. This is a shame – it would have been nice to see the two collaborate on a single skit rather than operating independently throughout.

image

Indeed, there is an unparalleled imagination and level of skill that permeates through the show – every stranger we meet is a specific concoction from the minds of the two performers – a member of a cancer support group haunted by the singing of Betty Midler, a falconry expert deprived of her bird, or a yoga instructor obsessed with similes. The show rattles along with this tranquil kaleidoscope, each new individual delivering the necessary laughs and novel circumstances.

The show is certainly a safe affair, with the gags coming at a consistent pace. Some characters perhaps overstayed their welcome while I was left yearning for even more from others, but perhaps with some fine tuning before their Edinburgh gig the two will deliver a solid Fringe turn next month.

Author: Alex WoodAlex is the former reviews editor at Theatre Bubble, but since changing position now contributes occasionally. He has been writing reviews for a number of years, as well as seeing his own shows performed. He has produced and marketed a number of performances at venues in London, Oxford, Edinburgh, including the world premiere of Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke.

Filed Under: Featured, Review

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  • Alex Wood
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  • July 7th, 2016
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