• 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

EdFringe2019 / The Living Room at Assembly Rooms

August 17, 2019 by Karen Barclay Leave a Comment

Review of: The Living Room
Produced by:
Dahlidati
Price:
£10/£9

Reviewed by: Karen Barclay
Rating:
4
On August 17, 2019
Last modified:August 13, 2019

Summary:

A surreal journey through the rules of death led by two charismatic clowns.

More Details

Audience participation and clowns, two things I did not expect to find so enjoyable, or so affecting. From the very first moment when you enter the space to find a glamorously gothic Amrita Dhaliwal intently unrolling paper tape and tallying scores in chalk you know you have found yourself somewhere that’s both arrestingly unpredictable and entirely sure of itself. We’ve barely sat down before the other half of this double act, a puppyish Gemma Soldati, has made her unexpected appearance and we’re being moved around the seating bank. With less engaging performers The Living Room could have been awkward and alienating, but their effortless ease with the audience made us feel safe and bonded us as a group.

The surreal plot sees our protagonists confined to one room, answering phone calls that tell them who has died, and taking note of the death for their records. Dhaliwal is the regal, commanding ‘Accountant’. She tells us the rules, and we trust her authority. Soldati is more (deliberately) clumsy and idealistic. When she accidently kills The Most Important Member of Their Household, we know that she’s learning a hard lesson about the finality of death, and the way that life goes on regardless. The extent of their skill becomes apparent when they ask us for the names of loved ones, who have left us, and despite having been laughing continuously up to that moment, we take it seriously, and there’s a real sense of ritual mourning. Then it’s back to laughing.

At the end of this hour of dancing, slapstick and waiting for the grim reaper, the Accountants reset the room for the next batch of The Living, and we head off into the night still talking to each other.

 

The Living Room will be continuing its run at Assembly Rooms till 24th August at 21:20 every day except the 13th and the 20th. You can book your tickets from www.edfringe.com

 

CAST AND CREW

Cast: Amrita Dhaliwal, Gemma Soldati

Author: Karen Barclay

Filed Under: Review Tagged With: Assembly Rooms, clowns, Edinburgh Fringe 2019, The Living Room

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Richard Vergette on Leaving Vietnam

We spoke to Richard Vergette, writer and performer of Leaving Vietnam. Richard plays a war veteran who feels ignored and [Read More]

Review / The Journey To Venice at the Finborough Theatre

Bjorg Vik’s play The Journey To Venice is a delightful production, entertaining yet full of pathos. A play with a [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Tzarini Meyler talks KITES at VAULT Festival

We spoke to Artistic Director of LipZinc Theatre, writer and performer Tzarini Meyler about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Naomi Westerman talks BATMAN (aka Naomi’s Death Show)

We spoke to writer and performer Naomi Westerman from Little But Fierce about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival Can [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Angharad Jones on The Swearing Jar 

From New Perspectives, The Swearing Jar is a comedy about love, heartbreak, living with the past and accepting the future. We spoke to director Angharad [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Tim Edge talks Under the Black Rock
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Richard Vergette on Leaving Vietnam
  • Angharad Jones on The Swearing Jar 
  • Crowdfunding In Theatre - An Overview
  • Jane Eyre at the National Theatre
  • Art of Believing at The Space
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream at Brasenose College, Oxford
  • Nigel Lindsay Added to Al Smith's Harrogate
  • Ian Nicholas talks The Elephant Song
  • Karen Barclay
    Contributor

  • August 17th, 2019
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook69Tweet1LinkedInEmail

    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!