Angry at Southwark Playhouse

She is boiling. Her facial expressions are threatening him. Us. The man brandishes his fingers as if they were claws. Her nostrils are wide open. His eyelids are lowered and drawn together. It seems they are going to pick up a fight. He cheated on her and she wants to punch him in the face. That must be it. The room starts heating up, the mood for conflict is in the air, these people are going to get angry in here!

Angry is the new play by acclaimed writer Philip Ridley, directed by Max Lindsey, and starring Georgie Henley – aka the sweet little girl from The Chronicles of Narnia – and Tyrone Huntley from well-known musicals Jesus Christ Superstar and Dreamgirls.

The piece follows a series of monologues exposing poignant everyday topics. Real human feelings of despair, agony, hesitation, indecision and impulsiveness are brought to light through situations one can easily identify with. It is a modern play, even futuristic at times, where some of the scenes could resemble a Black Mirror episode.

In another interpretation one can sense Angry is like a reality show, were the two characters are prisoners and are being judged by the audience, their only witness. Or are we being emotionally tested, shifting the characters between frantic states and lighter ones. A square-shaped stage and the use of lights and sounds complements this idea of a game show. The stage transforms into a boxing ring, to a dance floor, to a bookshop. The soundtrack is suspenseful, effectively achieving tension and awkwardness during complete silences.

The best of the six monologues is certainly Air, a marathon of a speech, which, last night, Henley completely did justice to. A shy girl finds the love of her life and when everything seems to go right, it all collapses in an asphyxiating apocalyptic scene. Although it must be remarked that Henley dazzled in all three monologues, demonstrating she is an exceptional actress, it’s the profundity of the story in this case that moves theatregoers. The performer pull us into her world and leaves us on the edge of our seats. Co-star Huntley delivers a fine and funny performance too, but Henley steals the show.

Angry is a masterpiece to see twice, as the monologues will be alternated between the actors. This is a performance for people with imagination, who want to be surprised, where it is not about how it’s interpreted, but rather about enjoying the show.

Ella Navarro
Photo: Matt Martin

Angry is at Southwark Playhouse from 14^th February until 10^th March 2018. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here. 

Watch the trailer for Angry here: