Camden New Journal Review

CAMDEN NEW JOURNAL:

'Shakers Re-stirred'
-Upstairs at the Gatehouse

reviewed by Martina Anzinger

"All the world’s a cocktail bar, and we are all merely dreamers. At least that’s what one of Hollywood’s stock genre takes on life would have you believe. The denizens of Shakers are the good, the bad and the ugly - and dodgy dudes looking like men who drink Belgian beer. Even Jonathan Ross was said to have dropped by - once.

There aren’t many bars where you’d find shot like Basil Goes to Siberia, Salty Dog Zombies and a happy hour that lasts from 7-10pm. The play is an update of authors John Godber and Jane Thornton’s earlier snapshot variation on what was once a sparkling dramatic theme- life seen through the bottom of a cocktail glass.

But 15 years on, the re-stirred mix is losing its sparkle. What saves the play is the confidence of 19-year-old directorial debutante Rose Lewenstein from the Blue Bud Stage Company who mixes fast-cut character changes - effortlessly segued by the cast - to maximum effect with some snappy one-liners. And the Gatehouse,
once used as courtroom, was the perfect setting for this
up-close-and-personal play.

The dialogue resonates with pathos and even a little political edge: rumours that the UK still has a National Health Service - somewhere in Scotland and the ever-desperate hope of a show by the local heart-throb.

For all the frenetic energy a superb cast - Susie Anton, Marianne Permaul, Helen Weaver and Becky Wright - bring to the party though, this is a well-shaken cocktail that will leave you only a little stirred."

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