• Review For Us
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Last Minute
    • Cinema
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
    • Attractions
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Last Minute
    • Cinema
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
    • Attractions
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews

Review: Broken Link at Living Record Festival (Online)

Greg Stewart by Greg Stewart
January 18, 2021
Reading Time: 3min read
Broken Link Review c. Harpy Productions

Broken Link Review c. Harpy Productions

From weddings to birthday parties, we’ve all become used to what were once social gatherings becoming ‘virtual’.  In Harpy Production’s Broken Link, part of the Living Record Festival, it is a less happy occasion that sees a group of four come together.  Noga Flaishon’s intriguing new play, directed by Kitty Ball, utilises Zoom at the same time as putting it at the heart of the production.

Unable to come together as they usually would, because of the lockdown, these four characters find themselves raising a glass to their late friend over a video call.  Their annual memorial for Ellie seems to follow a traditional pattern, James hasn’t yet properly accepted his sister’s death, while for boyfriend, Luke, a career and a new girlfriend has helped him to move on.

Megan couldn’t face university without her best friend, and her overly prickly persona gives us a few clues as to how an alternate life as a barmaid is shaping up.  Luke’s new girlfriend, Holly, also joins the call, her relationship to Ellie isn’t exactly clear, but perhaps it’s her role as the new love interest that is most important.

Broken Link markets itself as being in the supernatural category, so it’s no spoiler to reveal that dear departed Ellie joins the call, albeit communicating entirely through the chat function and by text messages to individual characters (audience members can also choose to receive text messages as part of the interactive element).

Suddenly secrets are being exposed, and the cause of Ellie’s death is called in to question.  It’s a compelling plot, written with enough of a twist to make it feel like an hour well spent. Flaishon ensures that there’s good development of the male characters (Harry Ryan and Kieron Michael), but Megan (Rachel Chima) and Holly (Ida Regan) could have been explored further.

You mightalso like

Shit Samaritans at Living Record Festival

Review: Shit Samaritans at Living Record Festival

Am I a Terrible Person at Living Record Festival

Review: Am I A Terrible Person at Living Record Festival

The production could easily have afforded to push itself a little further, the air of suspense was never really maintained, and the fact that a ghost had joined the Zoom meeting seemed to be accepted by all just a little too quickly.  There’s a great opportunity for the company to take this idea further, and to expand it out in to a longer piece, capitalising on the possibilities of an interactive ghost story.

Broken Link is an enjoyable short that perhaps sways more towards issues of grief and mourning than you would expect, but it’s also thought provoking and is well performed by the cast.  Having been created especially for the digital stage does give this play a starting advantage, and while virtual gatherings are our only option, joining this one may not be a bad call.

The Living Record Festival runs 17th January to 22nd February 2021, full details can be found here.

Summary
Reviewer
Greg Stewart
Review Date
2021-01-18
Reviewed Item
Broken Link at Living Record Festival (Online)
Author Rating
31star1star1stargraygray
Event
Broken Link at Living Record Festival (Online)
Starting on
January 17, 2021
Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart

Greg is an award-winning writer with a huge passion for theatre. He has appeared on stage, as well as having directed several plays in his native Scotland. Greg is the founder and editor of Theatre Weekly

Related Articles

Shit Samaritans at Living Record Festival
Reviews

Review: Shit Samaritans at Living Record Festival

Am I a Terrible Person at Living Record Festival
Reviews

Review: Am I A Terrible Person at Living Record Festival

Living Record Festival
Digital

Living Record Festival Announces Online Programme

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.

Follow Us

  • This Spring Oldham Coliseum Theatre presents a season of online events and experiences for audiences of all ages to enjoy, using interactivity and digital technology @OldhamColiseum #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #haveyourpassportready #hiddenwinter #oldhamcoliseum #petrichor #projectintimacy #theluckyones #whodunnitatthecoliseum
  • Guildhall School of Music & Drama presents an exciting line up of drama performances this spring, broadcast online for free @guild_hall #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #garyowen #guildhallschoolofmusicanddrama #johnhaidar #judechristian #piecesofus #thedrownedworld
  • As artists are beginning to feel the full force of what Brexit will mean to the industry, Cecilia Gragnani has revitalised her show Diary of an Expat as a podcast - London Expat #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #ceciliagragnani #diaryofanexpat #podcast
  • To celebrate International Women’s Day, leading female comedy community Funny Women is running the inaugural Funny Women Around The World #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #funnywomen #funnywomenaroundtheworld #internationalwomensday #sarahkeyworth #soozkempner
  • Papatango announce the extension of their critically-acclaimed production Shook by Samuel Bailey now streaming until 28th March @Papatangotc #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #andreahall #georgeturvey #ivanoyik #josefdavies #joshfinan #papatango #samuelbailey #shook
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, Kemp House, 152 - 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Whodunnit at The Coliseum

Spring Digital Season on Sale at Oldham Coliseum

The Drowned World Guildhall School

Guildhall School of Music & Drama Announces Spring 2021 Drama Productions, Broadcast for Free

© 2020 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Theatre Weekly

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Cookie Policy.