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

The Riot Act at Hackney Empire online

The Riot Act at Hackney Empire online | Theatre review
7 February 2022
Mae Trumata
Avatar
Mae Trumata
7 February 2022

Alexis Gregory’s Riot Act sees a digital reimagining this February to celebrate LGBT History Month. Born out of his interviews with Stonewall survivor Michael-Anthony Nozzi, a radical drag artist in Lavina Co-op, and AIDS activist Paul Burston, Gregory takes on three different characters and stories, all tied together by the fight for survival and the chaos surrounding LGBTQ+ activism and Stonewall. Opening with a behind-the-scenes preview of Gregory prepping for the performance, the actor looks into the mirror as if reflecting on the sixty years of history he is about to embark on, encouraged by the clothes and make-up surrounding him. Then all of a sudden, everything flashes to show time on stage.

Gregory’s script is descriptive and raw, carrying the heavy weight of the message and storytelling. Even with only himself visible on-screen, the depiction of the places and the experiences is so vivid. Despite the material offering such powerful words on their own, nothing sells it better than Gregory’s performance. In the way he carries himself and every transition from one character to another, his delivery is totally on the mark, creating an atmosphere solely through the tone of his voice. It’s absolutely amazing how expressive his eyes are, seamlessly moving between emotions – from mirth and nostalgia to sadness and horror.

Well-used phrases like “perfect storm” and “outside looking in” are a constant, used to personalise the experiences to each individual. When paired with lines such as, “We weren’t saying we’re gay, we just were gay” and “Being yourself, why is that political?”, these statements enhance the very real struggle that the community endured back then, and continue to face, even now. Speech work is tailored specifically to each of the three individuals, allowing the viewers to identify with each of them separately, yet the overall message remains crystal-clear and homogenous. It also helps that the camera angles coincide with certain words, furthering the effect and making use of the cinematic set-up.

There’s plenty of symbolism in the aesthetics of this performance: the movement from stage to the streets highlights the contrast between fighting for rights then to now – a central theme in the stories. The cyclical structure is just one of the many ways that further this juxtaposition. Everything starts and ends with that one evocative line, “There was something about gays and Judy Garland.”

★★★★★

Mae Trumata

The Riot Act is at Hackney Empire online from 1st February until 28th February 2022. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Related ItemsAIDSAlexis Gregorydraghackney empireone man showonline theatrequeer historyreviewRikki Beadle-Blairstonewallstreamed theatre

More in Theatre

The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre

★★★★★
Natallia Pearmain
Read More

Dirty Dancing the Movie in concert at Apollo Theatre

★★★★★
Jim Compton-Hall
Read More

My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

“When you’re presented with different dilemmas in life, you respond accordingly”: Debbie Kurup on The Cher Show

Mae Trumata
Read More

2:22 A Ghost Story at Criterion Theatre

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

The House of Shades at Almeida Theatre

★★★★★
Csilla Tornallyay
Read More

Grease at Dominion Theatre

★★★★★
Cristiana Ferrauti
Read More

House of Ife at Bush Theatre

★★★★★
Selina Begum
Read More

Banter Jar at Lion & Unicorn Theatre: “An authentic and timely one-woman show”

★★★★★
Jessica Wall
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Theatre review

Mae Trumata

The Riot Act

★★★★★

Dates

1st February - 28th February 2022

Price

£15

Links & directions

TwitterFacebookWebsiteNo map

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Albert Adrià reopens Enigma on 7 June as a “fun-dining” restaurant and cocktail bar
    Food & Drinks
  • Crimes of the Future: Three new clips from David Cronenberg’s dystopian body horror film
    Cannes
  • The Road Dance
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • The Innocents
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Paolo Nutini at the 100 Club
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Amazons launch How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me? at Live Nation
    Live music
  • Dirty Dancing the Movie in concert at Apollo Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Corsage
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • One Fine Morning (Un Beau Matin)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Dirty Dancing the Movie in concert at Apollo Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Feminine Power: The Divine to the Demonic at the British Museum
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • Eo (Hi-Han)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Warpaint at the Roundhouse
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Armageddon Time
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
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

Petrov’s Flu | Movie review
The Winston Machine at New Diorama Theatre | Theatre review