“No one throws house parties anymore,” says actor Chakira Alin. Through House Party, the writer and performer tells the story of how East London has been impacted by gentrification, presenting a witty and humorous look into the decline of parties that centres on the city’s housing crisis.
Arriving on the stage in an “I heart Hackney” t-shirt, Alin’s one-woman show is magnetic, kicking off with an array of relatable jokes which play on how the East End has become a sea of small-plates restaurants, orange wine and marathon runners.
At its heart, however, is a social commentary on how gentrification has impacted the lives of people who grew up in East London, noting how the “culture makers” who have made London the place it is today often do not get to enjoy it anymore, and remarking on the irony of how it is, for some, now an unreachable dream to die in the place you were born.
Character Skip is a struggling English Literature graduate and aspiring actor competing with others backed by generational wealth, whilst they face Jobcentre meetings and an eviction notice. Skip recounts a tale of having to move from house to house, with no security net, nostalgic for a true home.
Performing to a packed room at the Pleasance, the actor has the audience totally under control, at one point even teaching a viewer how to do the Candy dance.
Alin is captivating in their role as Skip, hilarious and easy to identify with, addressing social issues thoughtfully and effectively, offering compelling monologues and confidently using the stage. Simple props and lighting help create a believable party scene that provides hope at a time of difficulty.
Directed by Rae Morris and produced by Quite The Cowboy, the show is thoroughly entertaining. Inspired by the writer’s own experiences of homelessness, Alin’s performance is raw, bold, and emotional.
A fitting call to action about the injustice of the housing market today, House Party is uplifting and remarkable, but also a total joy to watch.
