Reviews
Behind The Scenes
The Colour House Theatre, July 2008
"Required viewing for all actresses.." by Graham Trelfer for www.remotegoat.co.uk on 15/07/08
It used to be said that actresses packed out the waiting staff of restaurants around the capital: in "Behind the Scenes" we learn that real money and flexibility for the struggling performer comes from handing out leaflets and doing promotions.
Meet Tara, Letitia and Fiona, a model, actress and dancer respectively… only work in their chosen fields does not seem to be too forthcoming. So the three girls find themselves shifting tofu samples, educating on feminine hygiene, in between downing samples of wine and omega 3 milk. In between we learn of their ambitions to perform, the dangers of being type-cast as a "glasses model" all the while battling personal issues of cheating boyfriends, money woes and apathy.
The action takes place in a series of short sketches as the would-be performers go from job to job, while struggling to find that all important role that will shoot them to fame. At points the scene changes leave us with a dark empty stage that slow the pacing set in the scenes, and this is a shame since the play makes such good use of a minimalist set that it should not require these pauses.
The actress are outstanding, especially writer Angeline Andrews whose character (who oddly reminds me of one of those Creature Comfort animals) steals scenes with a principled, yet eager to please, lonely girl who is oblivious to her own forwardness. It is a character that plays well when over the top and also in moments of silence where she half comes to terms with her loneliness. Francesca Manzi also does a good job as a dancer at crossroads, having lost her drive she begins to question her career path, while not as desperate for work she appears beaten down by the weight and reality of life.
This is an entertaining comedic play, more so for people who dare to live this life (you could tell who the actresses were in the room by loud laughs of recognition). That said, there is much to enjoy for the uninitiated: we have all had flyers thrust into our faces without giving two hoots about the person on the other end and this gives us an opportunity to see that.
Ultimately the play ends too soon, with the difficulties reaching a peak the events are wrapped up all too quickly. The fact is, there are no easy solutions to these problems, the girls continue to live their life doing promotions in-between commercials, but this can't go on forever. This play should be required viewing for anyone who thinks that show business is an easy and glamorous life, a reality check to the difficulties of pursuing something for fame rather than passion.
