RABBLE Theatre presents Off The Block
The Blade, Reading
Friday, March 26
rabbletheatre.com
What a warm welcome to Rabble’s Off the Block #10, the show that launched their original Reading Between The Lines theatre company in 2012.
What a 10 years it’s been for them too.
Taking the glass lift to the 13th floor of The Blade, thanks to Northwood Investors, it was such a delight to be able to watch the setting sun from such a height above the town centre.
We were welcomed with complimentary bubbles from Vintage Roots and delicious canapés sponsored by Dancia.
It was a wonderful way to wait in such a grand foyer before the show took place.
The production started with a video looking back over the last 10 years, and their many highlights and productions, from their first Shakespeare Twelfth Night, through to Henry I, II, Matilda and The Last Abbot, all that focused on Reading’s rich heritage, not forgetting their fun Christmas productions too.
They’ve been busy for certain.
The evening started on stage with local performing arts providers Read College students, who did a short skit about the perils of putting on a play up The Blade.
The students are often awarded work experience with Rabble and it gives them such valuable insight into performing.
Then we had a video montage of tonight’s actors giving us information about themselves before the plays started, this raised many a giggle in the full audience.
Next, we got to meet the writers and directors too, a lovely way to learn more about them with the varied questions they answered.
Three of the writers had Covid too … it’s still out there.
Dominic Allen’s play, directed by Tash Marks, kicked off the iconic Reading Locations theme with the opening line, “I didn’t know what was about to lie before me… “
It heads us into The Purple Turtle, who did drink all the Cointreau? Was there a murder at the Turtle, was it the creepy barman (played with comic flair by Jak Ford-Lane), the literary agent, the detective Constable? It turned into a real who done it.
Did the Scottish detective crack the case of the evil Purple Turtle?
I’ve never seen so many die on stage and what a poo ending (you had to be there…)
The true Villain was maybe the writer as stated in the script… Madness.
Loved the composed music by Rosanna Ter-Borg. The four actors worked a treat together, but the twins, Charly and Robin Faye were stand out for me.
“Did you find what you were looking for?” ends the first play and is the opening line for play two, written by Abigail Walton, directed by John Livesey.
Starting in Reading Gaol in 1896, the opening music by composer Emily Dunbar set the scene beautifully.
Within the visiting room of the gaol where Oscar has been told of his mother’s passing. An incredible contrast to the first play, with real feeling and emotion as it transitions into the Reading Young Offenders Institute in 1996 and tackles the topic of being homosexual.
Forward to 2096, and the Reading Gaol Arts Centre, a look into the future that many in the town would love to see.
Local actor and improv guru Alex Mcwilliam did some heartfelt monologues on love and community, that were very touching.
“We can change that” is the last line before the interval and will start play 3…
This time it’s set in the Reading Council office and written by Jack Fairey, directed by Becca Chader. Another fabulous composition started the play by the talented Chris Mitchell.
Reece, the councillor, walks in on an affair happening in the council offices between an older and younger lady, when he goes into the office at midnight after a run.
The human side of politicians was laid bare and how they face the issues and problems of being in office alongside their personal lives.
The topic of Art Centres was raised again and how they often face closure for not making money, but are vital for communities and mental health.
If only we found out how the councillor voted? “You try again tomorrow” ended play 3 and led the audience into the last play of the relay, written by Georgina Strawson.
This one was set in The Blade, with an actor being fed a cucumber while sitting in his pants?
It turns out he is an asset manager who has been fired.
The power of sending the wrong email by mistake in the business world.
Some really funny moments in this play that tickled the audience.
Some lovely direction ideas from Sabina Netherclift who you could tell had trained with Jacques Lecoq in Paris.
Manchego cheese on level 10 saved the day. Up to the 13th floor and we find out that the more expensive the tea set, the better the maid. It was smashing… top-shelf cups are too small.
The play is full of metaphors given with panache by Stephanie Farrel and at times it was total craziness.
Ending with some skid-marked pants and actor bowel problems from Aidan Kelly who was outstanding.
The tightest of the four plays tonight for me, and the actors worked together beautifully. With good comic touches from local actor Stephan Boyce and Monica Nash making up the cast ensemble, you’d never have guessed they had only worked on it in one day.
A fun and interesting night of theatre arts. If you were not a true theatre lover, or friend of the company, would you have been happy to have paid the high ticket price of £40?
I’m not too sure even with the stunning views.
It must be a creative tour de force of a week to be involved in as part of the cast and crew, but it still felt like watching a college or university project taking place at times. Not really a show for the masses, but a fun project all the same.
I did leave with a sore bottom, due to the uncomfortable seating and the people next to me also stood at every opportunity to give their bums some relief.
I wish I’d been told to bring a cushion for this one.
After the company bows, the co-founders and artistic directors of RABBLE, Dani and Toby Davies, gave praise to the cultural and creative people in Reading and all the other many businesses supporting Rabble.
They shared the great news they’ve found a new home at Caversham Stable, part of Caversham Court Gardens, a great creative hub to be based in.
So it looks like the next decade will be just as successful for them as well and good luck to them all too.
Happy 10th birthday Rabble.
Splattyoo, Reading’s honest reviewer
