Outside the Gate, Fringe Online, Review

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Rating (out of 5)
4
Show info
Company
Elephant Camel Productions and 7th Floor Productions
Production
Hilda Cronje (Director) Claire Lebowitz King (Writer) Sarah Hill (Lighting)
Performers
Betsabeh Emran & Claire Lebowitz King (Actors)
Running time
45mins

"How can you change the world? Stereotypes are shattered when two misfit mums meet outside the school gate. A dramedy about an Iranian and an American living in Middle England".

Two women, Heather and Samira wait outside the school gates for their children. One is rather reserved, conservative and perhaps wrapped too tight and the other a liberal and outspoken with few social filters, its a relationship made in heaven.

These two people are about as far apart as they can be, if there was a Venn diagram to define their relationship it would have the thinnest and smallest sliver of overlap, or would it? The beauty of this play is how well it explores the relationship between these two people and shows so much and yet raises so many, many questions.

It looks like a stage production filmed for the online audience, sometimes this creates weaknesses in the visual impact of the delivery, but not here, the minimalist and restrained staging enhance the experience.

There's tension, the American and Iranian cultural divide sits there between the two players, with both of them wading out into the strong currents to try and make contact, and watching this process take place is riveting. The relationship between the two players ebbs and flows, waxes and wanes and this Pas-de-deux is engaging and absorbing.

I don't want to give anything away about the story and outcome as that would destroy the audience experience but it is wonderful to observe and for me the show finishes with a majestic ending.

As a piece of writing it's subtle, clever and powerful. As a performed piece it's subtle, clever and powerful! If it's not based on the actual experiences of the writer then it's even more amazing how well this work has been devised. It's well performed and delivered with aplomb and maturity. The soundtrack is well considered and completes the whole experience.

Show Times: 4 to 28 at anytime (Delivered via Vimeo)

Tickets: £5