The Space Theatre, one of London's newest performance spaces is set near the glittering skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. Between 25th January to 2nd February the theatre was home to The One Fest a varied festival of monologue plays.
I was invited along to see Laundrette Superstar, a one-woman comedy musical by writer/performer Fortuna Burke. Judging by the shows website the show has garnered excellent reviews and widespread attention, so I was keen to see what the fuss was about.
The show opens with a hilarious Tom Cruise montage set to a rousing 80s soundtrack. Fortuna catwalks on in a brightly coloured, high-shouldered creation and the mood is set for the hour that follows: a glorious indoor fire work display of comedy synthpop, laugh-out-loud gags and bickering with Robin 'The-half-deaf-tech-person'.
The show follows the fortunes of Fortuna, a teenage fashion college dropout and self-proclaimed synthpop superstar who happens to work part time in a laundrette (just around her music which "is going really well, thanks for asking!")
We follow Fortuna on her journey from the laundrette to the dizzying heights of performing live in an environmentally friendly gift shop. Watch out for a brilliantly over the top posh character which will have you in fits of giggles!
Tragedy creeps in and we see the full range of Fortuna's skill as an actor – we are taken with her to the despairing lows of a crushed dream and the high price she pays for fame.
A a whole Laundrette Superstar is a stellar tragicomedy, which makes use of stand up, live music and hilarious projections.
Special mention goes to the production's costume and set designer, Magda Durka who brings the character's Cyndi Lauper meets Tinky Winky sense of style to life.
The piece is skilfully directed by Robin Gething, who Fortuna treats with disdain as her unpaid tech person and general dog's body, barking orders at him from the stage and wincing at the mis-timed tech. Robin's quick-witted retorts to Fortuna's diva-ish outbursts heap on an extra helping of laughs to this riotous debut by a brand new performer.
Laundrette Superstar hits Chelsea Theatre on 20th and 21st February, this is a show you really won't want to miss so get your tickets booked while you can still afford to!
★★★★
Jenny Cherry Childs
