• 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

Review: So Many Reasons at Camden People’s Theatre

January 31, 2018 by Scarlet Evans Leave a Comment

Review of: So Many Reasons

Reviewed by: Scarlet Evans
Rating:
3
On January 31, 2018
Last modified:January 31, 2018

Summary:

Feisty one-woman show can't quite connect

More Details

Calm Down Dear, the annual feminist festival at Camden People’s Theatre, is this year celebrating its sixth birthday. The show is headlined by So Many Reasons, a one woman piece starring and written by Racheal Ofori, is a classic coming of age story, dealing with religion, the tricky topic of mother-daughter relationships, and, perhaps above all others, sex.

Ofori’s Melissa is charming and funny, able to segue easily between the serious and the lighthearted, and we see her grow from around eight years old to mid-twenties. She also effortlessly shifts between characters, taking on Melissa’s sister, mother, uncle, school friends, and various lovers in turn. With only a few neon props  designer Tanya Stephenson brings us entirely into Melissa’s world. The backdrop of a brilliant neon sign that morphs together genitalia, palm trees, and Jesus is stunning and truly has to be seen to be believed.

And yet, it never really becomes clear why we’re there. Nothing in the show rings false – the problem is that none of it feels particularly insightful either. The hunt for the female orgasm feels like a pretty dry topic at this point, and it’s hard to invest emotionally in Melissa’s tragedy when we’re never quite sure exactly what she’s fighting. Is it a journey of self-acceptance? Is it about negotiating ones’ relationship with God? Is it about forgiving our families? Is it about men and bodies? The show tries to tackle all of these issues, but in doing so never quite realises any of them. The piece, initially formally bound by future-Melissa praying, ends up disjointed, a series of episodes that don’t quite link together. Even the emotional ending, of Melissa reconciling with her sister, is such a surprise it’s hard to register.

It can’t be denied, though, that Ofori uncannily captures that mid-twenties, existential feeling. The fragments and the tangents in the story she tells, while not necessarily immediately relatable, are entirely real – and perhaps this is what a feminist festival should be: listening to and accepting the stories of those around us.

So Many Reasons is at Camden People’s theatre, London, until 3 February. Then touring. Calm Down Dear festival runs until 4 February. Box office: 020-7419 4841. See our interview with Racheal Ofori here.

Avatar

Author: Scarlet Evans

Filed Under: Featured, Review Tagged With: Camden People's Theatre, feminism, one woman show, racheal ofori

Join the discussion Cancel reply

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]

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]

Hands Face & Empty Space / Vicki Amedume on taking time to think, talk and support

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

Hands Face & Empty Space / Ravelle-Sadé Fairman on the pandemic opening opportunities

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
  • Emily Beecher on being a reluctant producer and unproducer
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Katy Owen: Auditioning for Oxford School of Drama
  • Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern
  • Joe Strickland on why they will be keeping things digital
  • Alison Ford on maternity, redundancy and doing what's right
  • The Pros and Cons of Crowdfunding
  • Crowdfunding In Theatre - An Overview
  • Noises Off at the Garrick Theatre
  • Avatar

    Scarlet Evans
    Author

  • January 31st, 2018
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail

    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!