thebroken-leg-blog

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The Prince of Poyais (PPP)

This low-scale black box production went for it’s second run on Wednesday night, having drawn the attention of a visitor from The National Student Drama Festival hoping to further progress the show. I should start by saying, those with a lack of historical interest should not discount this shows quick wit and cunning dynamic creating some truly hilarious moments. We are introduced to the story of Gregor MacGregor, The Prince of Poyais himself - our performers undergo the guise of “The Patnapper Players” a group of storytelling performers who bring this factual tale to life with minimal set, costume and props. The classic brechtian approach this group of students take, under direction of fellow student Athaliah Dart, really leave the imaginative plain of the stage open for the audience to explore and beautifully decorate these lands with a rather, interesting, roster of characters. 

Our leading lady is a small powerhouse of talent, Rachel Guthrie, who brings a very napoleon-esque caricature to famous historical trickster Gregor MacGregor - bounding with energy from start to finish it makes sense for her to portray the lead with her native tongue colourfully expressing his villainous tyranny and emotional cowardice. She is accompanied by her idiotic sidekick, portrayed by multi-talented Bradley Frith, whose slapstick physicality brings a comedic contrast to our leads proud real posture. He later becomes a dog-like servant to The Mosquito Cove King who encounters and intimidates our weary travelers with such smooth cat-like charm and an enjoyable jamaican accent, portrayed by Andrew Bottoms. 

The King and his Dog are not the only roles portrayed by Frith and Bottoms - from servant to socialite and jamaican to scotsman, we are introduced to two new characters who bring new depth and harness brilliant comedy for the latter half of the play. Throughout the tale weaves MacGregors love interest, the beautiful Josefa, portrayed by Charlotte Coburn. She is truly the heart of play, bringing a fiery venezuelan accent, flirtatious glances and a tender vulnerability with her love for MacGregor and their child Gregorio. The two actresses showed an amazing chemistry in the few final scenes of the play, really driving this comedy through the hearts of the audience and out to the end.

Overall, albeit a heavy dialogue, with a few bumps and stumbles here and there - this show really brought some classic evening entertainment that any theatre goer would enjoy. I wish them luck with their endeavour with NSDF and hope all is successful, in other words - break a leg. 

4/5 crutches

- TBL

[thebroken-leg-blog]

New Beginnings

As part of a new year resolution we wanted to start some form of blog, specifically to do with theatre. The Broken Leg will post reviews based on theatre shows mainly based in the Carlisle area for the time being - if we lift off who knows where we’ll end up?! 

For the time being we will remain anonymous, we are very aware of how word can be misconstrued in the theatre world - we hope all reviews will be read as constructive. 

Enjoy our content and to any performers reading, break a leg.

- TBL