• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Tickets

Fool for Love at Found111

November 4, 2016 by Alex Wood Leave a Comment

Review of: Fool for Love at Found111
Produced by:
Emily Dobbs Productions
Price:
Tickets from £27.50

Reviewed by: Alex Wood
Rating:
3
On November 4, 2016
Last modified:November 7, 2016

Summary:

After a dazzling opening and a buzzing, brilliant middle act, it may have been foolish to expect Evans to maintain the same level of consistency for his closing show. Fool for Love is, perhaps a whelming end to a stellar year at 111, Charing Cross Road.

More Details

Fool for Love is an interesting choice to round off Found111’s residency at the former Central St. Martin’s. Simon Evans has, in the form of The Dazzle and Bug, sporadically spent the last year creating something skincrawling-ly good – reacting to the dense, cracked rooms of the building – using scripts that fit neatly into the area – augmenting both the text and the audience experience through the choice of pop-up venue.

A shame, therefore, that Fool for Love doesn’t create a perfect theatrical triumvirate. Shepard’s play, a cantankerous exercise in lust and subtle secrets, simply doesn’t connect to the venue in the same way Bug or shows like Barbarians managed to do. The hour-long show navigates the issues from the typical motel room (much like Bug, though seemingly less immersive this time), fit with cheap, chipped bed, fragile doors (that seemed to be incessantly banged for the sake of the noise) and tumblers stored in medicine cabinets. Set design from Ben Stones is everything that needs to fit the bill, coupled superbly with Elliott Griggs’ lighting.

We alight upon Eddie and May, the epitome of dysfunctionality, oscillating between romantic tryst and violent argument. As Joe McGann’s Old Man looks on, the story of their lives is unraveled (with a fair few obvious hints at the inevitable conclusion). Adam Rothenberg and Lydia Wilson as the central couple are perfectly serviceable, straddling the line between hatred and love the way Shepard intended. Wilson, eventually becoming the archetypal lady in red, seems to relish the role she’s granted as a keeper of secrets, coming alive with vibrant energy for a few moments.

fool-for-love-3

Evans is a dab hand with direction (his Midsummer at the Southwark still one of my favourite shows of the year), but it felt almost as though something was amiss here. Wilson’s speech, essentially concluding the show, felt entirely static at a point when movement could have been exhilaratingly pointed, while the door slamming felt akin to some form of injoke.

The fundamental issue was that some shows connect to site specific, pop-up venues, while others don’t. Shepard’s play never accomplishes what was so exciting about others, a pity, perhaps, but to reconfigure a play to fit into these low, oppressive ceilings is never an easy task.

After a dazzling opening and a buzzing, brilliant middle act, it may have been foolish to expect Evans to maintain the same level of consistency for his closing show. A whelming, perhaps, end to a stellar year at 111, Charing Cross Road.

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: Review

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Paul O’Donnell talks about his new show Dia-Beat-Es

This February, performer Paul O’Donnell is premiering his new autobiographical show Dia-Beat-Es. Bringing to the stage his own personal experiences [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Plain Heroines talks SCRATCHES at VAULT Festival 2023

We spoke to director Gabrielle Bird from Plain Heroines about taking part in VAULT Festival 2023 with their show SCRATCHES   Tell us [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Anthony Clark on SHE

Anthony Clark is the writer of SHE, a new show interweaving the stories of 14 different women in their twenties, [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Thick ‘n’ Fast talks General Secretary at VAULT Festival

We spoke to co-writers and performers Cassie Symes and Georgina Thomas about taking part in VAULT Festival 2023 with their [Read More]

NEWS / Too Much World at Once tour announced

Set against a backdrop of the climate crisis, the debut from Papatango shortlisted writer Billie Collins is a lyrical coming [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Paul O’Donnell talks about his new show Dia-Beat-Es
  • Tracy Ann Oberman to play Shylock
  • Deathwatch - Print Room at the Coronet
  • Eclipsed- Gate Theatre
  • Joseph Grimaldi Clown Memorial Service
  • This is Living at Trafalgar Studios
  • Paul Hegarty in conversation with INK Festival,East Anglia
  • Twelfth Night at the Hope Theatre
  • Sherlock star Rupert Graves to make his directorial debut
  • Alex Wood
    Contributor

  • November 4th, 2016
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook8TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!