logo theatre lifelogo theatre life
logo theatre life
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Plays
    • Comedy Plays
    • Musicals
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Ballet
    • Circus
    • Stand Up Comedy
    • Concerts
    • Cinema
    • Television
  • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Local History
    • Science
    • Travel
    • Politics
    • Fashion
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
  • Latest
  • About
    • About Theatre Life
    • Meet the Team
    • Inclusivity & Representation in Theatre
  • Shop
  • Contact
Wishlist 0
Compare 0
Sign in
My Account

Lost password?

0
0 My compare

View Compare

0
0 My Wishlist

View Wishlist Add all to cart

0
0 Shopping Cart
Shopping cart (0)
Subtotal: £0.00

Checkout

Spend £25.00 more to get free UK delivery. FREE Royal Mail delivery at £25 and under 3kg or FREE DPD delivery at £50. Congratulations! You've got free shipping.
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Plays
    • Comedy Plays
    • Musicals
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Ballet
    • Circus
    • Stand Up Comedy
    • Concerts
    • Cinema
    • Television
  • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Local History
    • Science
    • Travel
    • Politics
    • Fashion
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
  • Latest
  • About
    • About Theatre Life
    • Meet the Team
    • Inclusivity & Representation in Theatre
  • Shop
  • Contact
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Linkedin Youtube
  • Plays
  • Comedy Plays
  • Ballet
  • Opera
  • Musicals
  • Dance
  • Concerts
  • Stand Up
  • Circus
  • Cinema
logo theatre lifelogo theatre life
0
0 My compare

View Compare

0
0 My Wishlist

View Wishlist Add all to cart

0
0 Shopping Cart
Shopping cart (0)
Subtotal: £0.00

Checkout

Spend £25.00 more to get free UK delivery. FREE Royal Mail delivery at £25 and under 3kg or FREE DPD delivery at £50. Congratulations! You've got free shipping.
logo theatre life
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Plays
    • Comedy Plays
    • Musicals
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Ballet
    • Circus
    • Stand Up Comedy
    • Concerts
    • Cinema
    • Television
  • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Local History
    • Science
    • Travel
    • Politics
    • Fashion
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
  • Latest
  • About
    • About Theatre Life
    • Meet the Team
    • Inclusivity & Representation in Theatre
  • Shop
  • Contact
Wishlist 0
Compare 0
Sign in
Plays

Blackout Songs at Hampstead Theatre

20th April 2023 /Posted byRobert Cope / 1744 / 0

Blackout Songs, at the Hampstead Theatre, is a thought-provoking and original play that portrays the ups and downs of a co-dependent couple struggling with alcoholism. Written by Joe White and directed by Guy Jones, the play is both hard-edged and heartwarming, with a compelling structure that captures the essence of the couple’s relationship.

Alex Austin and Rebecca Humphries give an exceptional performance as the two alcoholics battling their demons. Their odd, associative conversation at first appears like a drunken conversation, not half as interesting when sober. But as the play progresses, the tenderness, intensity and undercurrents of pain begin to shine through, and the audience becomes more emotionally invested in their relationship.

The lighting by Christopher Nairne pulsates with hedonistic excess, then tightens its focus around the couple like a visual embrace. The interludes of music (sound design by Holly Khan) and movement (directed by Iskandar R Sharazuddin) are powerful and add to the overall depth of the play.
The non-linear staging of the play is similar to Nick Payne’s Constellations, with gaps that stand in for alcoholic amnesia and contested realities. The writing is brave and original, exploring mutual addiction and the compulsion to keep drinking, which is caught up with creativity for the artist and a rebellion against “normality” for the barfly. The play shows the inner battles of each character, making it hard-edged and unsentimental one minute, and heart-meltingly warm the next.

Although the play focuses on a romantic tragedy about two alcoholics, it has moments of humour, indicative of the wild spirit of living in the present. Overall, “Blackout Songs” is a funny kind of romantic tragedy that becomes compulsive to watch. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking play that is both emotionally charged and visually stunning.

Cast & Creatives

  • Hampstead Theatre - https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2023/blackout-songs/
  • Showing - 21st April - 26th May
  • Writer - Joe White
  • Director - Guy Jones
  • Principal Actors - Alex Austin and Rebecca Humphries
a dark and witty tragedy
4

Summary

I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking drama that is both emotionally charged and visually stunning.

Sending
User Review
5 (2 votes)
Share Post
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • VK
  • Pinterest
  • Mail to friend
  • Linkedin
  • Whatsapp
  • Skype
John Wick: Chapter 4
Acantha Lang ‘Beautiful ...

About author

Robert Cope

About Author

Robert Cope

Meet Robert. With roots in Uganda and England, and childhood memories from Kenya, he offers a distinctive voice in the theatre world. As a noted critic in London, his reviews on 'Theatre Life' echo his deep connection to the arts and his active role in the Clerkenwell community. Offstage, Robert champions community causes, enjoys the strategy of backgammon, the energy of squash, and the serenity of British countryside hikes. Join him in exploring the theatrical scene through his informed and unique perspective.

Other posts by Robert Cope

Related posts

18 May
Comedy Plays

The Comedy of Errors at Shakespeare’s Globe

Posted byRobert Cope1
“The Comedy of Errors” at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London is a delightful and uproarious production that... Continue reading
26 Feb
Plays
Read more

The Unicorn at The Vault Festival 2023

Posted byRobert Cope0
I have had the pleasure of viewing the one woman play, “The Unicorn”, performed by Alice Lamb... Continue reading
07 Jun
Theatre
Read more

The Stars That Play with Laughing Sam’s Dice

Posted byRobert Cope0
Gripping, Tense, Drama 5 Summary I highly recommend seeing ‘The Stars That Play with Laughing Sam’s Dice’... Continue reading
08 Jun
Theatre
Read more

Agatha Christie’s Murder On The Nile

Posted byRobert Cope0
Riveting stuff! 4 Summary Plot-twisting. Sending User Review 0 (0 votes) Continue reading
25 Aug
Theatre

Lady Anna: All At Sea

Posted byRobert Cope0
Park Theatre, 19 Aug – 19 Sep 2015 Company: The Production Exchange Playwright: Craig Baxter Director: Colin... Continue reading

Add comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

Capital Designs Advert ImageCapital Designs Advert ImageCapital Designs Advert Image

Latest Reviews

Film Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

16th April 2024

Ross Noble’s “Jibber Jabber Jamboree” at the London Palladium

14th March 2024
Simon Bailey, Anna Devin, Innocent Masuku

The Barber of Seville at the English National Opera: A Timeless Classic Reimagined

12th February 2024

ENO’s Iolanthe at London Coliseum

5th October 2023

Latest News

Google Takes on ChatGPT with Launch of AI-Powered Chatbot Bard

7th February 2023

Pasqal Secures €100 Million in Funding to Advance its Neutral Atom Quantum Computing Technology

25th January 2023

Jakub Kiwior, a 22-year-old central defender from Poland, has joined Arsenal

23rd January 2023

Pele: Brazil football legend dies aged 82

29th December 2022

Recent Comments

  1. Penny on The Comedy of Errors at Shakespeare’s Globe
  2. Samantha Coles on It Happened in Key West
  3. Samantha Coles on It Happened in Key West
  • Main Menu

    • Home Page

    • Theatre

    • About Us

    • Shop

  • Need Help?

    • FAQs

    • Find a Venue

    • Become a Reviewer

    • Contact Support

  • Corporate

    • Production Companies

    • Partnership Enquiries

    • Event Enquiries

    • Advertising

  • My Account

    • My Account

    • Order History

    • Edit Account

    • Wishlist

  • Site Policies

    • Shipping & Delivery

    • Returns Policy

    • Cookie Policy

    • Privacy Policy

Stay Connected

Robert's Other Sites
Email Form
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Linkedin Youtube
Pay Safely and Securely with:
Group 11
Stay up to date with our monthly e-newsletter

© 2023 Theatre Life • all rights reserved

Home
Reviews
News
Shop
Contact
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OKRefuse 3rd Party CookiesPrivacy Policy