Reviewer: Christine Stanton
Writer: James Woolf
Director: Ursula Campbell and Katherine Reilly
“Marvellous Metatheatre”
4 / 5
~This review was originally written for The Reviews Hub ~
The auditions have begun for The Play With Speeches, a collection of twelve carefully curated audition speeches from a variety of fictional plays, woven together to become a fully formed storyline. But what ex-couple writer Anthony and director Penny weren’t banking on is the theatre accidentally selling tickets for the audition process, resulting in each audition being broadcast to a room full of people, along with the rehashes of their past arguments and relationship dramas.
Anthony (Matthew Parker) adores having the audience available to watch the audition process, allowing his theatrically thespian nature to shine through his grandiose introductions to each piece of writing. Penny (Katherine Reilly) on the other hand, isn’t as impressed, wanting to get on with the job at hand, seemingly already at the end of her tether from working with her ex-boyfriend so closely again. As each actor arrives to perform their prepared monologues, the audience get to witness their on and off screen personas, with hilarious results.
This incredibly unique play-within-a-play written by James Woolf is a perfect blend of clever, entertaining writing, with the skill of ensuring it isn’t too complex or inaccessible for a wider audience. Although there is a lot happening throughout – from the drama between Penny and Anthony, the monologues and the auditionees themselves, it never becomes convoluted, delivering fast-paced, farcical fabulousness throughout. Directors Katherine Reilly and Ursula Campbell keep the flow of the show going, incorporating natural breaks of the fourth wall and implementing audience participation at various points in the show, adding yet another distinctive element to an already fresh concept.
Matthew Parker is undoubtedly the perfect choice for this lead role, his over-dramatic almost David Brent-esque portrayal of Anthony causes the audience to be in stitches throughout the show, his delivery hilarious and his intentionally over-dramatised mannerisms impeccable. With such a strong lead, it’s often the case that the supporting cast are left in the shadows somewhat, but this performance has a cast of incredible talent, all of whom get their own opportunity to make their mark. Auditionees Mayuresh Mishra (Darren), Camilia O’Grady (Alice) and Mark Parsons (Felix) are faultless – naturally comedic they bring an extra element of effortless humour to the show. Anna Blackburn (Bambina), Jumaane Brown (Nick), Michael Perlmutter (Lionel) and Ursula Campbell (Michaela) do not miss a beat with their quick, easy delivery as the actors, alongside their believably dramatic readings while auditioning – an all-round impressively skilled cast.
This marvellous piece of metatheatre is a brilliantly clever, well-layered storyline, performed by an entire cast of incredibly talented, comedic performers.
Runs until 4 March 2023
RatedReviewed 
Leave a comment