In My Neighbours are Kind of Weird? Livvie (Sophie Graham) is a self-described ‘micro-celebrity’ residing rent-free in a household flat in Shoreditch together with her archetypal self-obsessed, wellness-obsessed millennial fiancé, Eddie. As Livvie gropes for the readability and satisfaction that appears to be coming simply to her friends, the unusual antics of her upstairs neighbours deliver hassle to her already-imperilled equilibrium. Things grow to be stranger nonetheless when a cocktail party with the offending neighbours, Kevin and Amahzing, devolves into chaos, inflicting Livvie to suspect that the mischievous, enigmatic couple residing above her could, in reality, be Greek gods. Amid the obsessive…
Rating
Good
This intelligent satire of millennial hypocrisy boasts a robust central efficiency and constant surprises.
In My Neighbours are Kind of Weird? Livvie (Sophie Graham) is a self-described ‘micro-celebrity’ residing rent-free in a household flat in Shoreditch together with her archetypal self-obsessed, wellness-obsessed millennial fiancé, Eddie. As Livvie gropes for the readability and satisfaction that appears to be coming simply to her friends, the unusual antics of her upstairs neighbours deliver hassle to her already-imperilled equilibrium. Things grow to be stranger nonetheless when a cocktail party with the offending neighbours, Kevin and Amahzing, devolves into chaos, inflicting Livvie to suspect that the mischievous, enigmatic couple residing above her could, in reality, be Greek gods. Amid the obsessive attentions of the charismatic – presumably immortal – Kevin, portrayed brilliantly by the commanding James Stevens, Livvie’s long-repressed emotions of guilt and fragmented id start to manifest in anarchic, harmful methods.
It’s a intelligent, witty play which takes purpose at millennial tradition, denouncing its disciples as hypocritical, narcissistic and deeply unserious. While that is well-trodden floor, Panda La Terrière’s script uncovers recent veins of perception, delivering penetrating jabs that strike deep and true. Likewise, manufacturing designer Eliza Podesta’s set deserves reward for its strikingly recognisable rendering of Livvie’s millennial Shoreditch flat; the road artwork work and chunky floral prints are positive to really feel acutely acquainted to anybody who has ever set foot within the residence of an East London younger skilled.
The play’s unusual descent into the fantastical is crammed with entertaining moments. The feast scene is a selected spotlight, with the chaotic vitality of the neighbours asserting itself increasingly more deeply because the scene progresses. But the play usually loses sight of its thesis amid all of the farcical enjoyable of its absurd premise. The readability of goal mandatory for efficient satire turns into diminished because the narrative proceeds; new plot threads and revelations complicate the throughline of what precisely the play is attempting to say. Why is Livvie enticed by the Greek gods? How do their existence counterpoint the millennial tradition which is breeding such dissatisfaction? Such questions could be answered have been the play not spinning so many plates directly.
The writing and performances display greater than sufficient expertise to successfully ship on anybody generic kind, if they may solely determine on what that kind ought to be; oscillating between poignant satire, absurd farce, honest drama and epic fantasy, the promise of satisfaction in any one in all these modes is left unfulfilled.
Such narrative frustration could be felt extra deeply have been it not for the stellar efficiency of Graham as Livvie. She performs the central position with a pathos that persistently grounds the present; expressive and endearing, she proves eminently watchable and smooths out many bothersome narrative bumps. The play’s ambitions could not absolutely cohere right into a glad entire, however a pointy script, comically adept solid and constant sense of enjoyable guarantee a captivating viewing expertise, and one that’s sort of bizarre.
Written by: Panda La Terrière
Directed by: Sophie Graham & Panda La Terrière
Produced by: Sophie Graham, Panda La Terrière & Eliza Podesta
My Neighbours are Kind of Weird? performs at Drayton Arms Theatre till 15 March. Further info and bookings could be discovered right here.