Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical
Down And Out In Paris And London
  • By Pete Shaw
  • |
  • 19th May 2016
  • |
  • ★★★★★

Bridging a gap of 80 years between author George Orwell’s early life in Paris and a social experiment by Guardian journalist Polly Tonybee in London, Down & Out In Paris And London seeks to highlight the plight of those living below the poverty line.

This is storytelling that sings, proving you don’t need a National Theatre-sized budget to deliver great work, you just need bucket-loads of talent.

For Orwell this was an escape from his privileged life in England to seek his muse. Taking up residence in a slum hotel he quickly burns through his money; is swindled by con men preying on the poor; sells his possessions and ends up in a sweatbox kitchen working impossible hours for minimal reward. Fast forward to the turn of the century and in the name of book research Tonybee has left her middle class life (“just 15 minutes away”) and is moving into an unfurnished council flat in a sink estate. She has to deal with the seemingly arbitrary and dehumanising process of claiming benefits; the unfair and immoral advantage a certain retailer uses to exploit those that need to spread payments; how temp agencies get her to sign away her rights in order to work and ultimately the poverty trap that becomes inescapable.

David Byrne’s writing and direction is exquisite. The fluidity is mesmerising. Both Orwell and Tonybee’s stories are cleverly entwined; actors rolling from beneath a bed; appearing from behind a moving door or spinning from a prop – jumping the eight decade gap without missing a beat. This cunning device allows, for instance, the exploitive pawn shop owner in the 1920s to turn on his heels to become the exploitive Brighthouse assistant selling overpriced beds in the 2000s.

Byrne’s superb direction is perfectly matched by Catherine Webb’s flawless lighting design and Ronnie Dorsey’s unerring costumes. This is storytelling that sings, proving you don’t need a National Theatre-sized budget to deliver great work, you just need bucket-loads of talent.

If there can be leads in this largely ensemble piece, then Richard Delaney and Karen Ascoe can claim those plaudits. Delaney as Orwell delivers with rare confidence and clarity that it's difficult to take your gaze away. Ascoe flips between the diametrically opposite characters of Tonybee and fleapit hotel owner Madame F – I had to check my programme just to be sure this was the same actor. But this is not to take away from the other members of the cast, such was their universal excellence.

Regardless of your political colour, there’s no doubt this is great theatre. Questions can be raised about the morality of the middle class experimenting with poverty for their own commercial gain, but in this case it certainly provides the meat for a very tasty sandwich.

Reviews by Pete Shaw

London Palladium

Hello, Dolly!

★★★★
Prince of Wales Theatre

The Book of Mormon

★★★★★
Novello Theatre

MAMMA MIA!

★★★★
The Stage Door Theatre

Marry Me a Little

★★★★★
Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked

★★★★
Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked

★★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

Having survived Eton, young George Orwell disappears into the underworld of 1920s Paris in search for something to write about, while a modern-day journalist goes undercover on a London council estate at the turn of the millennium.

Multi-award winning New Diorama and PIT transfer their brand new show back to London after its premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015. A new, modern satire inspired by Orwell’s autobiographical tale and combined with Polly Toynbee’s 2003 book Hard Work, this production is written and directed by New Diorama Theatre's Artistic and Executive Director, David Byrne. Winners of Writers’ Guild and List Magazine Award for Drama and Les Enfants Terribles Prize.

Buy cheap tickets for Wicked
Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical

Most Popular See More

Buy cheap tickets for Abba Voyage
Abba Voyage

From £67.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Starlight Express
Starlight Express

From £36.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Matilda
Matilda

From £25.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for MAMMA MIA!
MAMMA MIA!

From £15.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire

From £25.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Nutcracker - London Coliseum
Nutcracker - London Coliseum

From £22.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Frankie Valli
Buy cheap tickets for The Elixir of Love
Buy cheap tickets for The Cabinet Minister
Buy cheap tickets for Benjamin Button
Buy cheap tickets for Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma
Buy cheap tickets for Anne Frank
Buy cheap tickets for Guys & Dolls
Buy cheap tickets for Mozart - Her Story
Buy cheap tickets for Starlight Express
Buy cheap tickets for Lonely Londoners