In a touching, funny and most certainly energetic performance, The Bastard Children of Remmington Steele: Watership Breakdown is one play not to be missed this season!
The story of four children raised in a convent orphanage, the play explores the different aspects of their lives; from what happened to their parents and how they came to be in the orphanage through to their childish games and imagined realities of youth and finally into adulthood where they have to face up to some home truths.
The play switches rapidly between the present and the past in order to tell all their stories and so a high degree of versatility and energy from the actors is most certainly required. Fortunately, this demand is met in this particular production by four actors who are able to shift between the many characters they are each required to play with apparent ease and with each character they play as different and convincing as the last.
A well-written script contributes to the roller-coaster ride of emotions the audience are taken on, one moment laughing and the next genuinely moved by the events of these children’s lives. And whilst the constant changes and necessarily high energy levels meant that there was sometimes an almost frantic feel about the production, there is no doubt that this play demands a high level of skill from its performers and some precision direction which was clearly apparent in the results.
Considering how much sheer hard work and commitment this production has clearly demanded from all involved, it seems a shame that there are so few London performances, which makes it all the more important that you get in there quickly to see this little gem of a show!
