Post by Dr Tom on Nov 12, 2024 0:13:00 GMT
Writing a review of this new play, which is in previews at what is one of my most local theatres, I would probably include words like clever, timely, and frustrating. Then, I'd repeat 90% of my reviews for most plays at the Bush Theatre.
I also expect like many plays at the Bush, it will end of transferring to the West End at some point.
This is largely a story about people caught up in the cryptocurrency crash of 2022, so the ending isn't really ever in doubt, but with BTC reaching record highs again just this week, it is timely in that another range of scams are about to hit the unwary. It is also frustrating in that it's an area I know a fair amount about and the situation could never have happened as described in the play, but this is fiction. There's also a clever and less than subtle warning about further scams at the end, but most of this was completely lost on the audience, who just wanted a comedy and to laugh at couples with relationship issues.
As is common at the Bush Theatre, this does draw in a diverse audience, but there are still plenty of empty seats despite the show being sold out. The show is not completely bedded in yet as a few parts need tightening, but generally this is in good shape. The main cast of four are very good, although I'm still to meet the men in their 20s who try and work in "bruv", "fam" and "f***" into every sentence in the way that these men do. There's also clever incorporation of a guest star for around five minutes (this week it is Jamael Westman - so I've managed to see both the original Hamilton and Burr across two successive nights - Jamael's part has a lot of improvisation and he even managed to sneak in a Hamilton reference). I did really like Kieran Taylor-Ford, who is on stage for almost all of the show.
Worth watching? Yes. It is a full 2 and a half hour show, and it does have a valid message, even if some parts are rather tagged on. And, for the board members who like to analyse plays more than I do, there's a lot to analyse here.
I also expect like many plays at the Bush, it will end of transferring to the West End at some point.
This is largely a story about people caught up in the cryptocurrency crash of 2022, so the ending isn't really ever in doubt, but with BTC reaching record highs again just this week, it is timely in that another range of scams are about to hit the unwary. It is also frustrating in that it's an area I know a fair amount about and the situation could never have happened as described in the play, but this is fiction. There's also a clever and less than subtle warning about further scams at the end, but most of this was completely lost on the audience, who just wanted a comedy and to laugh at couples with relationship issues.
As is common at the Bush Theatre, this does draw in a diverse audience, but there are still plenty of empty seats despite the show being sold out. The show is not completely bedded in yet as a few parts need tightening, but generally this is in good shape. The main cast of four are very good, although I'm still to meet the men in their 20s who try and work in "bruv", "fam" and "f***" into every sentence in the way that these men do. There's also clever incorporation of a guest star for around five minutes (this week it is Jamael Westman - so I've managed to see both the original Hamilton and Burr across two successive nights - Jamael's part has a lot of improvisation and he even managed to sneak in a Hamilton reference). I did really like Kieran Taylor-Ford, who is on stage for almost all of the show.
Worth watching? Yes. It is a full 2 and a half hour show, and it does have a valid message, even if some parts are rather tagged on. And, for the board members who like to analyse plays more than I do, there's a lot to analyse here.
