Skank
Newcastle Bobik’s
Saturday 31st August 2019
A new venue in Jesmond hosts its first theatre production
in its 60-seater studio space. Skank, a single handed production created
and performed by Clementine Bogg-Hargroves, focuses on a bored office temp who
has dreams to become a writer but lacks motivation to get started.
Clementine’s show threads both the desire to succeed and
have a place in the bigger scheme of things and to be healthy. The show centres
around Kate who has just started work in an office but finds that she isn’t
given much work to do and so she has time to ponder about life. She wants to be
noticed by sexy Gary, to do her bit for society by recycling her baked bean can
and to be given a clean bill of health by her doctor.
The play has dialogue through pre-recorded replies to Kate’s
conversations. We are exposed to annoying work mates and line managers, her
brother who is trying to perfect his culinary masterpieces and doctors who will
put her through some uncomfortable medical procedures. A first impression of Kate may be of a vacuous
and annoying egocentric individual but as the frequently comedic story unfolds
you appreciate the inner fears over health and relationships partly explains
her neuroses.
There are laughs from recognising the people in Kate’s
life. Clementine Bogg-Hargroves’ story is an energetic journey in a young adult’s
life. A balance of lighter moments and the darker realities of becoming an
adult make for an entertaining hour.
The show moves to:
Preston Stanley Arms September 3 - https://www.facebook.com/events/2281596778560773/
Blackpool Bootleg Social September 4 - https://www.facebook.com/events/2400857106647156/
Skank represents Bobik’s entry to delivering low cost
fringe theatre. It is a very fine upstairs venue. The whole building has been
refurbished recently to a very high standard and has some interesting theming
around Russia and the early space missions. Indeed this extends to the posters
in Bobik’s itself and the Russian translation on the tickets. The downstairs pub
has a very wide range of drinks, which were nice, and food which we did not try
on this occasion. As we left the venue, a classic vinyl LP was playing on the
corner of the bar. It is no surprise that this is the new venue for ‘Mr Drayton’s
Record Player’ on Wednesday 16th October (https://www.facebook.com/events/3554409134584632/)
 |
| The Castaways |
Theatre returns to Bobik’s when White Tree Theatre performs
The Castaways on Saturday 30th November at 8.30pm
What is it about…
“In the not too distant future, flooding and
coastal erosion have ravaged many parts of the UK, and scores of towns and
cities have been destroyed. Despite the warning signs, the rallies and
petitions, the problem has been largely ignored. Now the country is in a state
of emergency.
Turning the international refugee crisis on its
head, The Castaways is the story of Sam, a young mother trying to protect her
family and find a new home in a country on the brink of environmental
devastation. She and her young son are flooded out of their home in York, and
from there they embark on a journey that will lead them from camp to camp,
forced into a reality of hunger and uncertainty. With a growing population of
desperate migrants, border control is strict, but as the veneer of civilisation
begins to slip, Sam is faced with the dangerous decision to flee.”
Written by - Rachel Price
Directed by - Rebecca Thomson
Performed by - Charlotte Wood
Tickets from £5 - https://www.bobiks.com/gigs-1/2019/11/30/the-castaways
 |
| Simon Donald as Barry Twyford |
Bobik’s has a large number of music and comedy acts appearing
over the next couple of months. One act that had us laughing all the way
through was Simon Donald (him off The Viz) who is bringing Barry Twyford Means
You No Harm on Thursday 26th September - https://www.bobiks.com/comedy/2019/9/26/simon-donald-barry-twyford-means-you-no-harm.
We look forward to our next trip to Bobik’s. A great
addition to the Newcastle live scene.
Review by Stephen Oliver.
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