• 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
  • Ed Fringe

Angel at the Arcola Theatre

September 16, 2017 by Arjun Ananthalingham Leave a Comment

Review of: Angel at the Arcola

Reviewed by: Arjun Ananthalingham
Rating:
4
On September 16, 2017
Last modified:September 16, 2017

Summary:

More Details

Whilst sombre Thebes Land runs upstairs, a rather different beast runs in the downstairs basement space of the Arcole. The action-movie-esque Angel has it all; explosions, run-and-gun style raids, fanatical villains, and of course, a reluctant hero. Only it’s all played out with one barrel and one woman – big budget this ain’t. There are no sound cues and certainly no music. An atmosphere is generated by the judicious use of lighting but mainly by the conviction of Avital Lvova’s singular performance.

Rehana is a young girl living in rural languor on the family farm in Northern Syria where she’s grown up longing for a life away. Her ambition to be an attorney, “like in Boston Legal”, draws the ire of her farmer father. A tough-but-loving brute of a man he is determined to give her an alternative education. Learning how to become a crack shot by shooting Orangina cans at his command she despises the effect it has on her and renounces violence. She rebels against his stubbornness by becoming a ‘nerd’ and immersing herself in studies. Pity then that her town soon comes under siege by an ISIS intent on destroying the Kurdish YPG who have declared autonomy in the region. Rehana and her mother escape to Turkey with the plan to meet up with dad later on in Europe – when it transpires that he won’t be joining them, that he stayed to protect his ancestral land, Rehana resolves on a daring suicide mission to save him. She becomes Angel. Lvova’s supple physicality empowers the action; writhing against the wall, snaking around on the floor, running from the enemy, leaping for cover from incoming fire. She does it all with a soldier’s economy and a scholar’s aptitude.

Eventually Angel encounters a unit of female guerrillas. Their distaffs replaced with Dragunov sniper rifles. Her father had the same rifle and this predisposes her to be a sharp shooter. She becomes a talisman to the group picking off ISIS recruits like so many Orangina cans. But Angel has an introspection they lack and killing plays upon her mind. The more she kills the deader she becomes – “We must be as bloody as the tyrants themselves”, her father’s words echo imploringly.

It’s not all despair. Writer Henry Naylor’s comedic roots are in evidence early on; jokes about Star Trek, Beyoncé, and a very funny running gag about Marie Curie. All the humour makes her tragedy that much more poignant. Naylor’s well researched script fills the gaps in Rehana’s actual story with episodes credible enough to immortalise her. Angel is now a latter-day Joan of Arc whose myth has steadily grown. A fearless woman who abandoned a potentially lucrative career to defend her homeland and resist an evil tyranny. Did she really kill one hundred ISIS fighters? Did she really escape her own execution, twice? When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.

Avatar

Author: Arjun Ananthalingham

Filed Under: Review Tagged With: Arcola

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Gavin Maxwell and William Townsend talk Anthropocene

Launching on this year’s World Earth Day (Thursday 22nd April), Anthropocene: The Human Era is a digital choose-your-own adventure from [Read More]

NEWS / Thick ‘n’ Fast announce new show General Secretary

Who run the world? A satirically comic journey through power and diplomacy as two highly unqualified women are suddenly landed [Read More]

Guides / 5 Tools for Actors to Enter the Theatre World like a Pro

Becoming a successful actor is no small feat. Fortunately, for those interested in improving their acting skills, plenty of tools [Read More]

NEWS / Digital Theatre & Arts Micro Festival Living Roots

Hot in the heels of the debut Living Record Festival in January-February 2021, the Living Roots Festival launches 5th April. [Read More]

Hands Face & Empty Space / Abel Law on becoming a musical theatre student during COVID

On the 17th March, it will be exactly one year since UK theatre came to an overnight standstill. Every day [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Spotlight On: Mischief Theatre
  • New Cast Announced for Matilda the Musical
  • Boudica at Shakespeare's Globe
  • Interview with Sir Richard Stilgoe, lyricist of "Orpheus - The Mythical"
  • Goodnight Mr Tom
  • Unicorn Theatre appoints Justin Audibert as Artistic Director
  • How to Applying for Arts Grants and Funding
  • Avatar

    Arjun Ananthalingham
    Author

  • September 16th, 2017
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook1TweetLinkedInEmail

    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 © 2021 · Blue Pie Media

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

    Email sent!