Orsolya Nagy brings Soviet theatre to London in her double bill ‘Charlie & Striptease’. Both plays, written by Polish absurdist playwright Sławomir Mrożek, find dark comedy in the anxieties of life under an oppressive regime.
Starting with Charlie, a witty tale of a grandfather and grandson on the hunt for a mysterious man named Charlie, but who must first equip grandad with a new set of glasses before commencing their search. Set in an optometrist’s office, Nagy uses limited space to her advantage. Her use of furniture and props really sells this story, including a realistic rifle that gave the crowd a bit of a spook when Grandad swings it around. Kenneth Michaels portrays the old man incredibly, embodying the bumbling, comic grandfather with real warmth.
In Striptease, we’re taken into a dark room. Two men are trapped, we don’t know how they got there and they’re scrambling to get out. This story had the crowd in bits. The minimal set gives the audience an eerie, yet comedic atmosphere, with Rowland D. Hill and Simon Brandon delivering two brilliantly physical performances. The use of the unknown is a driving force, and the mystery keeps the crowd gripped throughout.
Charlie & Striptease makes for an amazing evening out, don’t miss it.
You can get tickets for the show here.
