Theatre / Reviews
Review: Regeneration, Wardrobe Theatre
Write By Numbers bring their tale of metropolitan metamorphosis to Old Market’s Wardrobe Theatre, giving balanced and informed insights into an issue that has remained topical (as they demonstrate) ever since we began living in cities.
The piece, a lattice of stories that follows characters Andy, Stevie and Emma across the globe over the past century, charts the progress of ‘regeneration’: “Buildings get built. A park or two. Facilities improve. Services get better. Area makes the news. Time Out likes it. Police best pay attention: ‘Clean up those streets!’ Ooh, we’re trendy now. I’m going to rebuild the place and make a ton of money.” The production’s anecdotal approach delivers a grounded, fascinating picture of social, architectural and employment history.
Humour comes from the characters’ drilled interactions and contemporary quips as they reel off political buzzwords like ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and ‘right to buy’. Engaging, direct address draws the audience in and the company’s minimalistic approach means the seriousness of the topic for discussion is not lost. And the sparse setting and props give Andy, Emma and Stevie poetic licence to engage the audience’s imagination in a witty, unassuming manner. We’re treated to a cache of personal experiences, one of which features Bristol’s very own Carriageworks.
Breaking from the characters’ normally nuanced approach, Andy deserves additional gratitude for his wholehearted portrayal of Margaret Thatcher whose speech was read verbatim and had the audience howling with laughter.
WBN never whine about the regeneration they observe (although they do admit that early scratches of the production read like an attack on gastropubs), and instead hold those with a greater degree of responsibility to account. This urgent, engaging drama touches on politics, town planning, homes, homelessness, global migration and world wars – all of it backed by both historical evidence and some very true stories.
Regeneration continues at the Wardrobe Theatre until Thursday, Feb 4. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.thewardrobetheatre.com/#/whats-on/4585398933
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