Saturday, January 30, 2021

MEET MO (Press Play Here/Theatre Royal Stratford East)***

  

By Cal

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-2UxBsQPQA

Captioned version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6FnVLoLHcI&t=0s

Audio-described version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guF0zDN41U4&t=0s

Available until: Unknown

There are no content warnings, but it is quite filthy in more ways than one. Cat sick, body part puns and an image nobody needs in their head. (I don’t blame the cat. I really don’t.)

Mo is a nan, living alone in the pandemic. She’s expecting her granddaughter, but she’s late. Mo thinks about some of the things her granddaughter might be doing instead of visiting her nan.

The story is part monologue, part musical. Mo starts off talking, then she drifts off into singing. Leo Butler wrote the books, music and lyrics. The music is enjoyable and it seems right for Mo and believable that she could compose those songs and lyrics on the spot, making her life into a musical. (Be honest. She’s not the only person who’s done that. Yes, Imogen. I do mean you.)

Mo is a great character. She’s feisty, fun and very funny. The singing isn’t that great, but she’s played by Jenny Galloway who is actually a really good singer. Jenny is more than capable of singing beautifully and perfectly if she wants to, but the way she sings is right for the character. Mo won’t be joining Jenny on the West End stage anytime soon… though on second thoughts, she might actually be a hit if she did.

Director Eva Sampson has given Mo a small set with a carpet, a chair and some other furniture. In close-up, it looks like Mo has a nice room. But when you zoom out, it’s clear Mo’s house occupies only a very small square in the centre of the stage. This emphasises Mo’s isolation. But Mo’s room is big enough for her to move around and she does. She could definitely follow in her granddaughter’s footsteps and become a TikTok star.

This probably isn’t one to watch over dinner, but it’s a lot of fun.

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