The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

Naked at the Jack Studio Theatre

Naked at the Jack Studio Theatre | Theatre review
18 January 2016
Yassine Senghor
Avatar
Yassine Senghor
18 January 2016

Naked tells the story of a young woman, Ersilia Drei (Josephine Rattigan), after her suicide attempt. It later transpires that she is involved in a larger scandal involving prostitution, an affair and the death of a diplomat’s child in her care. Her case gains the attention of the press, particularly the intrusive journalist, Francesca Cantavalle, and an amorous author, Lewis Nota. Adding to the list of those making demands of her fragile state is her ex-fiancé, Naval Lieutenant Frank Last, who abandoned her for another, and her former employer, the British Consul Mr Grant, around whom the scandal revolves.

The Pirandello play is adapted by Howard Colyer to London in 1979/1980, with the backdrop of punk music interjecting a sense of desire for expression. Cantavalle, played determinedly by Victoria Hamnett, rather than being another male closing in on Drei, offers a contrast between the two woman. One is ambitious, in control and going after what she wants – in this case the story. The other is broken and has little control over her own future.

Declan Cooke’s Nota is just the right sight of lecherous, with his intentions being misguided, but not entirely malicious. Piers Hunt’s Frank Last is brash and fickle, making him untrustworthy, and Sam Adamson is suitably slithering as Mr Grant. Jean Apps stands out as Mrs Hood, the landlady in whose house the action unfolds. She is essentially the comic relief, but also acts as the voice of the people, with her quick judgements but eventual sympathy for Drei.

It is Rattigan’s Drei who carries the whole performance, portraying a delicate woman who pushes back against all the forces trying to control her, until she takes control of her life in the only way she knows how.

The intimate theatre space makes the audience feel like an extension of the play. With the actors so close, their unravelling turmoil is amplified. As voyeurs of a young woman’s struggle, the audience must consider how our society is still so quick to partake in scandal and tabloid gossip, without taking into account the real people who are affected by all of it.

★★★★★

Yassine Senghor
Photo: Tim Stubbs Hughes

Naked is on at the Jack Studio Theatre from 12th January to 30th January 2016.

Related Itemsreview

More in Theatre

Edinburgh Fringe 2022: In PurSUEt at Underbelly, Cowgate

★★★★★
Madison Sotos
Read More

Edinburgh Fringe 2022: Mr Moon at C Aquila

★★★★★
Ella Satin
Read More

Camden Fringe 2022: Keep It Down at Hope Theatre

★★★★★
Mae Trumata
Read More

Camden Fringe 2022: Dreamworld at Camden People’s Theatre

★★★★★
Natallia Pearmain
Read More

Two Ukrainian Plays at Finborough Theatre

★★★★★
Sophia Moss
Read More

Rita at Charing Cross Theatre

★★★★★
Mae Trumata
Read More

Edinburgh Fringe 2022: Hungry

★★★★★
Ella Satin
Read More

Royal Ballet School students return to the stage for post-Covid performances

The editorial unit
Read More

The West at COLAB Tavern

★★★★★
Francis Nash
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Theatre review

Yassine Senghor

Naked

★★★★★

Dates

12th January - 30th January 2016

Price

£12-£14

Links & directions

WebsiteMap

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Coldplay at Wembley Stadium: “A night that will be remembered by 80,000 people for years to come”
    Live music
  • My Old School
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Sprung
    ★★★★★
    other
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2022: Mr Moon at C Aquila
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Camden Fringe 2022: Dreamworld at Camden People’s Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Trending summer dresses everyone wants to own in a heatwave
    Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2022: In PurSUEt at Underbelly, Cowgate
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2022: Mr Moon at C Aquila
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Camden Fringe 2022: Keep It Down at Hope Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Camden Fringe 2022: Dreamworld at Camden People’s Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Coldplay at Wembley Stadium: “A night that will be remembered by 80,000 people for years to come”
    Live music
  • Where is Anne Frank?
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Anaïs in Love
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Sprung
    ★★★★★
    other
  • Bad Sisters
    ★★★★★
    apple
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Goosebumps | Movie review
The Visit: An Alien Encounter | Movie review