Theatre Review: As We Fall Into The Ocean at Network Theatre
Summary: Crick-on-sea, a small island doomed to descend into the ocean. Bea, a resident of the island who has lived there and worked in their family bakery for their entire life. A story of grief, acceptance, stubbornness and loyalty until the end.
Rating: ★★★★
Running Dates: Friday 7th March - Saturday 8th March
Where to see it: Network Theatre, Lower Marsh, London
Duration: 80 minutes (no interval)
Keywords: Grief, Acceptance, Loyalty
As We Fall Into The Ocean is one of the first, in hopefully a long, theatreography by up and coming Really!Theatre. Writer Tia Huband and director Toni Roberts tell the story of a Crick-on sea and its inevitable descent into the sea due to climate change. The turmoil protagonist Bea (played by Ell Thompson) feels at the oncoming erosion of the town they have grown up in centers the story’s plot. With a non-linear narrative we learn the reasons Bea is so determined to keep their family bakery ‘afloat’ and the bridges they have burned in the process. Ell Thompson is a phenomenal lead and carries the show effortlessly. Accompanied by Goda Liutkutė, who plays Ūla; Bea’s closest friend and colleague, Joe Stanton, who plays Guillaume; Bea’s love interest, and Tia Huband, who plays Lottie; Bea’s sister, the entire cast brings the performance to life.
With an all too real possibility of islands and coastal towns having to pack up shop to move inland, Bea’s journey of acceptance throughout the plot speaks volume of the current world issues we are facing whilst still being grounded in characters we wholeheartedly route for. Whilst Bea is battling the decision to leave with the sensation that they are failing the bakery, and by extension their belated mother and generations of relatives who worked there, Ūla delivers a amazingly written and performed monologue of her departure from Lithuania. The standout quote for me was “Every time I go back it loses some of its magic”, a sentiment that everyone can relate to in some capacity but one that means so much to those who have been forced to leave their homes.
The simplistic set design, small cast and minimal locations enhance the play’s creativity; the characters' use of blue and white chalk to draw the oncoming waves onto the forefront of stage builds tension and helps track the runtime. Additionally the script is one of witty, divisive dialogue, where not a singular line is wasted or thrown away. With stubborn characters and strained family ties the play still has its moments of comedy and the balance between serious and lighthearted is handled extremely well.
The LGBTQ+ representation and respect is one of notable honour. To see queer characters who are well rounded, saracistic and unapologetic for their identities is always a delight and genuinely the highlight of my viewing experience.
I, for one, cannot wait to see what Really!Theatre do next.
Standout Quote or Moment: “I am not giving up, I am being loyal”
Last Impression: If you want to see up-and-coming theatre with good representation and real-world topics, try and catch Really!Theatre’s next production.
We were kindly gifted these tickets in exchange for a review.
Written by Hazel Earthy