Review: OUTSIDE, Orange Tree Theatre (Online)

Photo credit: Ali Wright

Outside is the second episode of the Inside/Outside live stream series presented by Orange Tree Theatre, and features three short plays presenting the message of finding connections out of darkness and coming together. 

The first play is called Two Billion Beats and follows smart siblings Asha (Zainab Hasan) and Bettina (Ashna Rabheru) who realise that through the pressures of school, they’re not being able to show who they really are. 

We join Asha in detention, her first one ever. She is trying to be cooler in front of her friends and by having a detention, she believes that this is the way to do this. She is joined by little sister Bettina who is waiting to get on the bus and wants her sister there for back up. Bettina is saving up for a hamster but is being bullied by her ‘friends’ into giving them her spare money, essentially using her. 

The bond between the sisters is displayed excellently by the two actresses, Hasan and Rabheru. It is through their mannerisms and body language that you can immediately distinguish the elder sibling from the younger, and the dialogue is well written by Sonali Bhattacharyya, displaying the quirks of the two siblings with humour but ultimately displaying the message that these two girls wish to be set free from who they are pretending to be.

The staging doesn’t change between the three pieces with the ‘Live’ sign displayed throughout, along with a white set that is multifunctional; whether that’s being used as a seat or leant on. Other props are used to distinguish the difference between the three pieces, with items such as doormats added.

The second play is called Prodigal and looks at the story of Kasujja and Rita, siblings who haven’t seen each other for a long time and their relationship is strained. They are forced together through the death of their mother when Kasujja re-appears a week after the funeral, much to Rita’s disdain, apparently acting on their mother’s wishes to be in charge of her money. In the folder - supposedly containing the details of the money - actually provides the way for the siblings to reconnect.

Written by Kalungi Ssebandeke, Kasujja is played by Fiston Barek and Rita by Robinah Kironde. Both Kironde and Barek put in great performances with more depth than the first piece. They shine delightfully with the great writing.

The third play The Kiss is acted out by Temi Wilkey as Lou in what is the best piece of the three. She tells the story of herself and her girlfriend and how the pandemic has affected their chances of having a baby by IVF, as all non-essential surgeries are cancelled. 

Wilkey puts in a stellar performance as Lou. She displays such warm charisma in her performance as she is re-telling a particular night. The story is very resonant to audiences right now and although Lou’s particular personal story might not be, difficulties during the pandemic are certainly relatable. 

All three pieces stand on their own merit and the live streams are available on 16 & 17 April. A great watch.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Emma Littler

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