An Interview with Gaddafi at Waterloo East

An Interview with Gaddafi is written by Reggie Adams, and is currently on its première four-week run at Waterloo East Theatre, produced by Future Social Theatre

On arrival, there isn’t a programme available as they simply haven’t been delivered to the theatre in time. And this pretty much sets a precedent for the under-prepared, disheveled state the show is in.

Bellamy Johan (Jonathan Hansler) is a journalist who is kicked out by his Spanish wife (Taya De La Cruz) to go and find his passion again and “bring the monies” home for his three arguably annoying daughters. Eric (Walles Hamonde), Bellamy’s neighbour takes him in and conveniently his cousin is living in the heart of the turmoil and riots in Libya – perhaps Bellamy should go. After some incessant, poorly staged and outrageously irritating Skype conversations with his daughters and female, repetitive, stereotypical angry boss (who unfortunately isn’t credited on the flyer), he eventually goes.

A redeeming feature of the play is the multi-roling by De La Cruz and Hamonde. They commit to each new role with soul, although Hamonde’s Gaddafi is an embarrassing imitation, with what looks like a felt-tip beard and sunglasses. Both Hansler and Hamonde need to assess themselves vocally, as they both effect a gravelly style that distracts from what they’re actually saying. Andrew Lawden appears in these cameo roles as guests at the hotel Bellamy stays at, but their existence in the play is baffling and unjustified.

Reggie Adams clearly cares about Libya’s situation, but his “play” is thrown together in a mash of non-sensical ramblings, repetitive name calling (“you’re a dinosaur, old-timer” – we get the point in the first scene, but this continues until the very last), and the actors stumble over each other physically and verbally in a failed directorial attempt by Chris Hallam. This is one to miss.

Sarah Milton

An Interview With Gaddafi is at Waterloo East Theatre until 29^th June 2014. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.