Juana in a Million
Southwark Playhouse (The Little)
Reviewed on Monday 27th May 2013
Upon entry to 'The Little', the smaller studio space in the new Elephant & Castle home of the Southwark Playhouse, Vicky Araico Casas is already stood centre stage, facing away from the audience in the small, gently lit performance space.
Juana in a Million is a one-woman show which explores true stories of immigrants to the UK. The play follows Juana Gómez Castillo (played by Vicky Araico Casas) who travels to the UK from Mexico. The story sees Juana take on a number of pretty horrific jobs as she comes face to face with some vile characters.
Vicky Araico Casas's performance is utterly captivating. Despite rarely leaving the same spot centre stage, she is responsible for keeping the play fast paced. Her portrayal is both funny and heart breaking in places. As well as playing the central character, she also embodies many other characters who come into the story. She adapts her voice and physicalisation within seconds making each scene flow smoothly. Movement pieces are incorporated which look visually impressive and bring a great deal of emotion to the story.
Vicky Araico Casas's performance is utterly captivating. Despite rarely leaving the same spot centre stage, she is responsible for keeping the play fast paced. Her portrayal is both funny and heart breaking in places. As well as playing the central character, she also embodies many other characters who come into the story. She adapts her voice and physicalisation within seconds making each scene flow smoothly. Movement pieces are incorporated which look visually impressive and bring a great deal of emotion to the story.
There are no set or props and the lighting design is kept as simple as possible. This adds a great deal of rawness and realisation to proceedings as it makes you think "this actually happens" making Juana in a Million a very thought provoking and important piece of theatre.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com
Juana in a Million runs at the Southwark Playhouse until 15th June 2013.
Please visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk for further information and tickets.
Follow @West_End_Frame
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com
Juana in a Million runs at the Southwark Playhouse until 15th June 2013.
Please visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk for further information and tickets.
Follow @West_End_Frame
Nir Paldi is the director. The character in the play is called "Juana Gómez Castillo"
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