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I used to be eagerly anticipating Dawn Again, with its promise of “a hilarious farce, where every line is rapped”. And it does start properly, with good tempo and sharp dialogue. It is evident from the beginning the place the drama lies. Elliot (performed by rapper Claudio Elliston) has two girlfriends, Bella (Annie Foreman) and Helen (Rachel Goodacre). Having impregnated each, they’re about to provide beginning on the identical day in the identical hospital. All shouldn’t be because it appears, nevertheless, and there may be one other two-timer of their midst! This is revealed very early on however could have been simpler…
Rating
Ok
A farcical six-hander, which is overpowered by the incessant rapping and loud music.
I used to be eagerly anticipating Dawn Again, with its promise of “a hilarious farce, where every line is rapped”. And it does start properly, with good tempo and sharp dialogue. It is evident from the beginning the place the drama lies. Elliot (performed by rapper Claudio Elliston) has two girlfriends, Bella (Annie Foreman) and Helen (Rachel Goodacre). Having impregnated each, they’re about to provide beginning on the identical day in the identical hospital. All shouldn’t be because it appears, nevertheless, and there may be one other two-timer of their midst! This is revealed very early on however could have been simpler had it been unveiled later.
After a short time, the continual loud music turns into far too intrusive, detracting from the enjoyment – the rapped dialogue seldom in time with the music. Whilst a number of the dialogue could be very humorous and rhymed – “You should have thought of the future, two different babies in two different ladies” – at different instances with out the lyrical rhyming it feels too pressured. It may need been simpler for less than sure scenes to be rapped slightly than the entire play.
There is a forged of six with two hospital beds and varied props and, as is common with a farce, actors exit and enter by way of completely different doorways and so forth. But this fails to work successfully in such a small theatre house, and, at instances, Elliot and Liz, the midwife (performed excellently by Zara Cooke) could possibly be seen lurking behind the again row of viewers seats. A scene the place the 2 girlfriends are mendacity of their respective hospital beds alongside one another, giving beginning, when in actual fact they’re speculated to be in separate rooms, though humorous, lacks believability as a result of set-up of the beds.
The piece turns into way more attention-grabbing when the tempo slows, and we’ve got entry to Dawn and Helen’s particular person ideas about their upcoming births and conditions. It’s notably transferring when Dawn calls her mom Linda (Cathy McManamon) for assist, as a result of she is feeling harassed and unsupported; Elliot being far too busy racing round attempting to keep away from being caught out! The two actors enjoying the girlfriends give stand out performances and the contrasts between their particular person personalities is excellently drawn. Helen instructing Dawn and David (Ed Petrie) on her yoga strikes is hilarious.
The piece does has an vital message at its coronary heart. Being set throughout Lockdown, Liz bemoans the truth that she is having to ship each infants, as they’re so understaffed within the NHS hospital. It additionally emphasises the purpose that MPs are liable to corruption and use their wealth to rid themselves of pointless issues. Ironically, on the finish of the play, the one who has essentially the most left-wing rules is the one who is ready to be paid off. Whilst this can be a good story with some high-quality comical moments, general, the incessant rapping and loud music overpowered the piece and detracted from what might have been a sharper and extra truthful play. The ending additionally felt slightly abrupt. Dawn Again is crying out for higher manufacturing values, a sharper script, much less music, and fewer rapping!
Written by: Claudio Elliston (Cloudy Clouds)
Directed by: Rafaela Elliston
Produced by: Cloudy Productions
Dawn Again: A Rap Opera performs at King’s Head Theatre till 26 February. Further data and bookings will be discovered right here.
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