⭐⭐⭐
Below a lovely local pub (The Curtains Up) is the cosy Barons Court Theatre. It was on a foggy January night that I attended the premier of Under The Table a four part play by Aaron Thakar.
The words “Sex, Politics, Money and Religion” were projected repeatedly in front of the audience before we began. The next two and a half hours were split into these four themes with separate mini plays. Arron Thakar explains in the programme that the political and social state of the country has led him to “reflect on many of our current affairs and news events are rooted in abuse of power” and he “wanted to reflect on their personal beliefs, placing themselves in the moral dilemmas the four pieces present”
The first scenario SEX involved a young man Fraser (with a S and not a Z) preparing for his Edinburgh Fringe debut in front of a lighting technician. His is worried his one man play about coming to terms with his breakup “is this self-pitying word vomit”. The lighting technician (who we only hear offstage from the lighting gantry) is initially supportive and gradually manipulates the vulnerable and slightly gullible Fraser into a potentially abusive situation. Unfortunately, the situation was clearly signposted throughout.
The second piece POLITICS was involved Khalil (Demi Idowu) a young, disillusioned voter. He has kidnapped a well-known Labour MP (Maxina Cornwell) from a care home, then adds two conservatives (played very effectively by both Rachel Burnham and Jacob Baird) who were canvasing the area, locking them in his flat and gets them to debate like a mini house of commons. The premise was just not credible, and I found myself just constantly thinking about all the myriad of practical problems involved, rather than the supposed dilemma presented.
MONEY is the third mini play where DJ Rick an old school shock jock invites previous co-worker Julia (Ella Jarvis) to discuss her accusations of misogyny and power imbalance against the aging DJ live on air alongside his sidekick Naomi (Moya Matthews) with which he has plenty of “banter”. This was the most enjoyable and funny of the four, with believable well written characters.
The final RELIGION was set in a dystopian future where the extreme right wing had virtually wiped-out Muslims with just a few hidden pockets of people hidden around the country. We are taken to an underground auction where Harry (Aaron Thakar) is auctioning off religious Islamic artefacts either for art collectors or extremists who want to destroy them. All is not what it seems when Nazia (Sasha Jagsi) bursts in claiming to be Harry's sister and tries to expose and stop him.
The actors really gave their all, fully committed and passionate throughout.
I love Charlie Brooker's Dark Mirror and could see many of the scenarios given more time and tightening up being very successful, but I personally found that I was exhausted being bombarded with too many ideas often promising but with little payoff.
CONTENT ADVISORY: Please be aware this show contains strong language, themes of sex, sexual assault, violence, death and religious persecution.
Where: Below the Curtain's Up Pub
28a Comeragh Road
London W14 9HR
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