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drinks Monday 3 November 08
Honolulu (Girls)
Verdict: Middle-East friendship
Honolulu (Girls) deals with two women, Lena and Kate, remembering their dead friend. It explores political ideology through their relationships (writes Eloise Emanuel).
[Honolulu (Girls) has a companion play, Honolulu (Boys), which tells the story of Lena’s brother Milo]
The first impression is of the dreadful costumes. They are both badly-fitting and in nasty, cheap fabrics which do no favours for the actresses. They make them appear lumpy, bumpy and decidedly dumpy. It's difficult to see why this should be an informed artistic choice.
Lighting is good, and cleverly creates a smoky, club atmosphere, and a sense of claustrophobia.
Becky Wright (Lena) gets over her initial awkward physicality and settles down to give a decent performance of a put-upon friend who realises she’ll never live 'the dream'. Charlotte Palmer reveals Kate's deterioration from ballsy, secure women to emotional wreck with confidence.
They work well together, keeping a good pace - and are quick in their line-uptake. There are some touching moments. There's Kate's desperation to effect a change in the political situation. And her palpable sense of helplessness and isolation - leading her to try to kiss Lena in an attempt 'move someone'.
The main point of contention is that the play is about the relationship of a Jew and Palestinian woman - but it seems to be set resolutely in dodgy British clubs with Caucasian British women, an unusual choice.
The intention may be to suggest the universality of the situation and emotions. But it makes the whole confusing to place, and thus difficult to buy-into.
The impression is of a play setting out to say something important, but not achieving it. It seems only to glance at the deeper reasons behind the two friends' conflict. At times it lapses into a series of political statements and reams of explanation - to the detriment of the characters.
At the end of the final scene the actors appear visibly moved, but ultimately the play doesn’t have the guts to take the audience there too.
***
Cast Credits (alpha order): Charlotte Palmer - Kate. Becky Wright - Lena.
Company Credits: Writer - Stephen Keyworth. Director - Oscar Sharp, with Stephen Keyworth. Stage Managers - Rebecca Maltby, Anna Swain. Press - Wendy Richmond. Producer - Host Universal for Cafédirect 5065 Lift.
END
(c) Eloise Emanuel 2004
reviewed November 04 / Hen & Chickens Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
