Lost and Found is a double bill of shows which are written, performed and produced by Take a Seat Productions, a new young theatre company of LAMDA graduates. The two shows are Soultide and Voice, with both shows emphasising the importance of empowering voices.
Voice, which marks the debut of Ethan Simm as a playwright and Director, is a truly magnificent piece of theatre. Set in a drama school, teacher Tully (Evie Day) encourages her new students to divulge their personal stories into the safe space of her class. The students are initially reluctant, but take great comfort and freedom in the emotional vulnerability, using it to further anchor their performances, to connect with one another, and to fully realise the gift in using one's voice.
Each story is powerful in its own right and is presented in different styles, allowing the cast to showcase their individual talents. For example, Jax's (Milly Thorpe) story is presented with song, allowing for Thorpe to demonstrate her incredible vocals. Charlie's story (Lucy Gant) is a beautiful ensemble movement piece, which allows the cast, particularly Gant, to impress the audience with their choreography.
The small cast - Nina Amos, Lauren Maguire, Evie Day, Milly Thorpe, Niamh Spillane and Lucy Gant all work together well and audiences can feel the friendships grow as their characters bond and grow together. The piece feels spiritual, especially with the clever use of lighting (Spot lights created with torches or a single standing studio light), creating an even more intimate environment. The play flows smoothly with these moments of storytelling from the characters and energetic bursts of drama school exercises (Splat! - a quick reflect fun warm up game) that punctuate high tensions.
The writing is poetic and encompasses a large emotional journey or revelation efficiently without ever compromising its importance. Simm is an exceptional and talented writer, especially for his debut, and the cast do a fantastic job. The play ends with their teacher Tully, reminding audiences to advocate for themselves and to use their voices to create understanding and change.
Soultide, which is written by Lisa Gillham and Elijah Lifton and directed by Anna Hampton, is a more vibrant play that allows for a hefty and hilarious dosage of dramatic action and consequence. The play follows three best friends and band members, Luka (Elijah Lifton) Billie (Lucy Gant) and Tara (Evie Day) and their manager Zan (Alexander Makar) as they prepare for a big meeting with a producer.
The characters each have their own hidden motives and conflicting agendas that slowly come to light through a series of twists which expose their secrets. Their friendship feels fragile from the start, despite a new romantic relationship between Billie and Luka, but it begins to crumble away rapidly, leading to a messy, dramatic and entertaining rapid four way argument. The character's relationship mirrors that of a sinking ship; a metaphor that is used surprisingly well in a literal sense by writers Lifton and Gillham.
Whilst the conversation flows well, the consecutive reveals feel a little too pointed and forced at points, and therefore don't allow for audiences to process each new direction the story is being pulled in. However, this isn't too noticeable as the drama and arguments engulf the audiences.
The four cast members, along with Nina Amos as Raquel as a barely present and silent assistant, all excel in their roles. Makar portrays the conflict of externally being carefree and confident, but an internally nervous and ambitious band manager well. Gant and Day are well matched as opposing sides in the ever looming argument about classism and privilege, both making excellent points. Lifton is endearing as the gentle Luka, but feels slightly underused in this production as a rather emotionally rich character torn between the two sides.
Lost and Found is an overall strong piece that approaches an important topic from two very different perspectives. In taking the two approaches, the piece is both thought provoking and empowering, whilst also raising a new wave of incredible and talented young artists.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Henry Roberts
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