• Review For Us
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • VAULT Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • VAULT Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Edinburgh Fringe 2019
Last Life Box Collective and Piece of Yourself photo azumi OE

Last Life Box Collective and Piece of Yourself photo azumi OE

Edinburgh Review: Last Life: A Shakespeare Play at Greenside @ Infirmary Street

by Magdalena Pulit
August 6, 2019
Reading Time: 3 mins read

Last Life: A Shakespeare Play, performed at [email protected] Street, is a collaborative production of two New York based theatre companies, The Box Collective and Piece of Yourself who make their debut at the Fringe. Written and directed by Sara Fay George, this intimate story of an unnamed relationship, has its UK premiere at the festival.

The play is a collage of Shakespeare’s quotes from tragedies, comedies and sonnets – scattered, taken out of their contexts, intermingled and incorporated in one another. They compose a story of a relationship and its different stages – safe to say, any relationship as effusions, fascinations, flirtations, desires, jealousies, pains, frustrations and resentments are universal and thus, relatable for everyone.

However, in this case, gender dynamics plays a particularly crucial role, therefore Last Life is envisioned by a heterosexual couple comprised of two actors, Esther Sophia Artner and Mikaal Bates. Their Shakespeare, refreshingly different and performed with an American accent, materializes on stage not only through words and quotes but also through their eyes, expressions and remarkably ductile bodies. They deliver a genuine, sensual, carnal experience, on the borderline of theatre, music and dance. They are accompanied by Khadija Sallet, in the role of Goddess Kismet. Symbolism embodied by her character is a little portentous, however, her diva, powerful yet incredibly natural, effortless, mesmerizing voice makes this show a must-see.

       

The alternative composition of Shakespearean lines unclothes an unknown face of the bard, twists some meanings or perhaps only unearths them, for example when the infamous, controversial final soliloquy of Taming of the Shrew is put into the man’s mouth. To the audience’s astonishment (‘Is this all really Shakespeare?!’), the bard turns out sensual, erotic, electrifying, feminist, universal and relatable. His words accurately depict the struggles of each gender as well as the vulnerability of a man and strength of a woman.

However, it is a show not only for Shakespeare’s fans although they should have some extra fun catching all the references and quotes. It is mostly a show about emotions, envisioned by wavering bodies of the actors. A small room blurs the distance between the stage and the audience, creating an ambience of intimacy to which everyone is invited. However, its valid and universal message deserves better. A bigger stage and more subtle lighting would make it more dynamic and reach out to a bigger audience. Go see it and spread the word.

You mightalso like

Cast of Head Over Heels

Cast Announced for the European première of Head Over Heels at the Hope Mill Theatre

Last Life Box Collective and Piece of Yourself photo azumi OE

Edinburgh Preview: Last Life: A Shakespeare Play at Greenside

Main Image c. azumi OE

Magdalena Pulit

Magdalena Pulit

Magdalena is a student of English Language and Literature Linguistics at The University of Edinburgh, she reads 3 books a week and speaks 4 languages. Magdalena writes in the Music section for The Student newspaper – the oldest student newspaper in UK. She is an aspiring musician with 9 years of experience in music college a guitar and piano player, vocalist and new songwriter.

Related Articles

Cast of Head Over Heels
News

Cast Announced for the European première of Head Over Heels at the Hope Mill Theatre

Last Life Box Collective and Piece of Yourself photo azumi OE
Edinburgh Fringe 2019

Edinburgh Preview: Last Life: A Shakespeare Play at Greenside

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

The Cast of Eugenius The Musical at the Turbine Theatre Photo Credit Pamela Raith

Review: Eugenius! The Musical at The Turbine Theatre

The Cast of Eugenius The Musical Photo Credit Pamela Raith

First Look: Eugenius The Musical at The Turbine Theatre as Super Fan Sundays Announced

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • Vault Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly