The Looking Screen
Kings Place
Reviewed on Thursday 31st January 2013
"Meet Annabel Clark, a twenty-seven year old Londoner obsessed with her colleague, Sebastian Smith. Disillusioned by dating mishaps and social awkwardness, Annabel is convinced that the only way for her to be united with the object of her desire is to approach Sebastian online. Empowered and armed with Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, will Annabel ever get her man?"
Anne Chmelewsky’s comic operetta The Looking Screen is a breath of fresh air. The show, which premièred at last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, could not be more relevant as it makes fun of today's social network obsessed culture with an extremely simple yet clever storyline.
Clare Presland was incredible as poor Annabel Clark. Her frantic portrayal was perfect and had the audience in stitches. Performing a one woman opera cannot be easy but Clare's performance was intense and thoroughly engaging throughout.
Anne Chmelewsky's writing is extremely clever. The build up of tension had myself and the rest of the audience sitting on the edge of our seats. Would Sebastian reply to Annabel's Facebook message? It may sound stupid but The Looking Screen is so much fun.
What I loved most about The Looking Screen is that it appeals to a wider audience, not just opera fans. The show makes opera appealing to a younger audience. I am sure The Looking Screen has a bright future ahead, whether that may be with performances in prestigious venues or in schools as an introduction to opera.
Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com
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