Past Shows
‘I’m A Londoner’ (25th June – 9th July)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Under the powerful force that is Palladini Productions, I’m A Londoner was a play designed to encompass the beautiful and untold stories of a great city. Both funny and melancholic, the play explored the very best and the very worst side of London. A collaboration between 7 great actors produced a interwoven series of monologues that deals with the fact that even with everyone jostling around you, you are, in essence – alone.
Devised and directed by Sam Bevitt, the seriously talented cast of 7 included:
Anna Afanasyev
Andrew Lewisward
Phoebe McIntosh
Ryan Mathie
Shakella Dedi
Sheenal Kothari
and Joseph Dwight Brown
The cast have been carefully selected to reflect London’s assortment of cultural backgrounds. Collectively the cast have trained at some of London’s renowned drama schools including LAMDA, Central & Mountview. Credits include performances & appearances at Royal Opera House; South Bank Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Royal Festival Hall, National Geographic, BBC TV & a winner of a BBC Carlton Hobbs Award.
Sound design is provided by the dynamic duo Alberto Sanchez & Catarina Chaby. Alberto is a DJ at Resonance FM and a graduate of SAE Institute. He works freelance in production, post-production, live production and phonography. Caterina has worked as a freelance audio engineer since 2004 for Nostairway Music Studio and has been involved in LP and SP productions, audio and video post-production for TV and location recording for live performances.
Here are some photos -
Here are some excerpts from the monologues:
“Nobody seems to like one another either. Diaries are full with engagement parties in Mayfair, cocktail parties in Chelsea, soirees in Kensington and fundraisers in the Belgravia. I have no idea why they like each other’s company. Everybody thinks they are better than everybody else, so when they all do meet, it’s like a real life game of top trumps. It gets viciously competitive. ‘Oh, you’ve only got two children who are lawyers- we’ve got three, haven’t we dear?’ And ‘Oh, you’ve got a villa in St. Tropez? We own St. Tropez, don’t we dear?’ All that is then covered up by a coy laugh from both parties and the fresh cards are dealt.”
“I tell you what I can’t wait until I get to Maggie’s house tonight. I take it none of you have been invited. [At a member of the front row] Certainly not you. Maggie’s is the place to be at the moment, so naturally I’m going. She’s got these fantastic new leather sofas at the moment but in this heat I’ll be peeling my bare skin off it like Velcro. But, I tell you what; the men at Maggie’s parties are something else. I suppose I will take one home but he better be gone by the time I wake up the next morning. Maggie gets too drunk, she always does. She starts talking nonsense and says we should get a bus somewhere. Ha! A bus! I tell you darling; the only time I have an oyster in my hand is at Quaglino’s, believe me!”
“I told him today that it is either his wife or me- that he can’t have both anymore. Three years I have spent being a secret. Three years spent hiding from others, avoiding the truth and all the while, I knew that when the time came, I will always be just a secret – and nothing more.”
“I’m Georgey Sampson [looks expecting some sort of recognition]. Thee Georgey Sampson…? Don’t worry – I guess I’m better known on the homeless circuit. Famous in fact! But you will know my work that’s for sure.. “Spare any change for the Donner Kebab fund!?” I started that saying in 2003. “Don’t be shy give it a try. BIG ISSUE!” Yes, I’m a poet too…”
Reviews:
“A fun and entertaining play full of energy. The actors, the music and sound effects get to portray the mix and variety of characters you encounter in everyday London”. **** – Remote Goat Review
“I really enjoyed the show and thought it was excellent. There are so many good things to say. I enjoyed every monologue without exception and some performances will live long in the memory”. **** – Paul Cronin, Recording Artist
“I am a Londoner is a good production and it’s a nice idea to make the city of London and its multicultural society take centre stage. Shakella Dedi’s Birmingham born, confectionary pusher, who talks to her aborted baby, is my favourite. The actress performs well in the role and she brings an energy and enthusiasm to the character that is lacking in some of the other performances – resulting in her being one of the most interesting and engaging to watch. Also good is Ryan Mathie as the Glaswegian busker who was kicked out of his home for being in love with his mother. the story is both thought provoking and compelling.”.*** – Flavour Magazine
“I thoroughly enjoyed I’m A Londoner – Its characters were completely 3D and acted superbly. The way they interacted in the park made it – I spent the entire time waiting for the drunken girl to get up… what a great character. Well directed and produced. Good fun all round.” **** – Flash Films
And even Alex Cameron…
“I went to the 2nd performance of “I’m A Londoner” at the Jacksons Lane theatre and found myself laughing throughout, simply from recognising the familiar stereotypes we all see day to day in the city, including many we just love to hate. There’s something about celebrating our own, often ridiculous, culture that evolves.” ****- Alex Cameron