• 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: Meek from Dazed New World Festival (Online)

Joe Hunter by Joe Hunter
October 21, 2020
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Meek Review

Meek Review

Penelope Skinner’s Meek, live streamed to screens across the country as part of the ‘Dazed New World’ festival, is a dystopian drama, set in an extremist Christian society, where disobeying God and disobeying men are both equally sinful, as well as, in this scenario, illegal. It follows Irene, a factory worker and aspiring singer-songwriter, who writes a song for the married man that she is engaging in an affair with. This leads to her arrest, a campaign being organised calling for her freedom, and a debate about what it means to be free and to be incarcerated for individuality.

In Skinner’s almost biblical and possibly prescient world, through it’s commentary on censorship and hyper-surveillance, brought to life by director Jake Smith, women disobeying their husbands is illegal and any type of promiscuity is considered incredibly frowned upon. However, the terms of these aspects of this world are ambiguous and hard to follow. Irene’s personal story arc is interesting enough to stay on board for the 70-minute duration, however the outcome and practicalities of the world that she lives in seem constantly muddled and contradictory of each other, as well as the stakes being somewhat indiscernible.  It’s worth considering that this was intentional writing from Skinner, so that the audience would be watching through a translucent lens to contemplate why this world is the way it is and its parallels with real life; with even the dialogue and dynamics between the characters being bloated and disproportionate.

On the other hand, Skinner’s use of language and political commentary is often challenging and engaging and thought-provoking, not to mention easy on the ears in it’s rhythm and naturalism. Unfortunately, whatever target the writing is trying to hit, it just seems to miss it by a hair. Smith’s direction’s attempts of immersing the surreal world with realism make it feel slightly more grounded, but the two do not coordinate enough to create a believable world.

Meek’s strongest asset is its cast, specifically Maria McColgan’s performance as Irene. McColgan’s urgency and complicated portrayal of this character and their complicated relationship with virality and freedom is easily the most engaging thing about the piece. Jasmine M Stewart and Hilda Cronje both offer strong and dynamic performances as Anna and Gudrun, showing an interesting and believable contrast between religious loyalty and belief in social justice.

Although Meek has memorable moments and an interesting premise, Skinner’s half-formed patriarchy, and the fact that it doesn’t reveal anything that we didn’t know before, is what lets the piece down. However, with memorable performances and several engaging moments of dialogue, this is a piece that could be effective and thought-provoking, if seen by the right people.

You mightalso like

Thick ‘n Fast General Secretary c. The Other Richard

Thick ‘N’ Fast to Stream New Show – General Secretary

The Sam Every Big Band Christmas Special Applecart Arts

Applecart Arts Announce Streaming Service And Residencies

Full details of The Dazed New World Festival can be found here

 

An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the director.  This production of Meek is directed by Jake Smith.

Summary
Reviewer
Joe Hunter
Review Date
2020-10-21
Reviewed Item
Meek from Dazed New World Festival (Online)
Author Rating
31star1star1stargraygray
Event
Meek from Dazed New World Festival (Online)
Joe Hunter

Joe Hunter

I believe any piece of theatre, regardless of form, style or genre should be able to teach or make the audience feel something new. That is the true meaning of theatre to me, and I plan to take every opportunity to learn and feel that I can.

Related Articles

Thick ‘n Fast General Secretary c. The Other Richard
Digital

Thick ‘N’ Fast to Stream New Show – General Secretary

The Sam Every Big Band Christmas Special Applecart Arts
Digital

Applecart Arts Announce Streaming Service And Residencies

All By Myself Dazed New World Review Photo Credit Will Alder
Reviews

Review: All By Myself from Dazed New World Festival (Online)

Clownhearted Review
Reviews

Review: Clown-Hearted from Dazed New World (Online)

Finding Percy Erebus Review
Reviews

Review: Finding Percy Erebus from Dazed New World Festival (Online)

The Fall Review c. Will Alder
Reviews

Review: The Fall from Dazed New World Festival (Online)

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

  • Theatre Royal Stratford East is pleased to announce that Mina Barber and Tabby Lamb are the two new artistic associates for the Sky Arts Artistic Associates Bursary at Stratford East @stratford_east #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #minabarber #nadiafall #skyartsartisticassociatesbursary #stratfordeast #tabbylamb
  • Capital Theatres has announced the first shows to appear on its stages in more than a year, with Blindness and A Splinter of Ice coming to Festival and King’s Theatres @captheatres #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #asplinterofice #alanstrachan #alastairwhatley #blindness #capitaltheatres #oliverforddavies #stephenboxer
  • Exclusive first look pictures have been revealed for the Lawrence Batley Theatre and The Dukes’ digital production The Importance of Being Earnest @lawrencebatleytheatre #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #gurjeetsingh #lawrencebatleytheatre #melaniemarshall #minaanwar #nikkipatel #thedukes #theimportanceofbeingearnest #tomdixon #yasmeenkhan #zoeiqbal
  • The final films in Talawa Theatre Company’s urgent and compelling online series, Tales from the Front Line, will be released on their website at midday on Monday 26th April @talawatc #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #adjoaandoh #akadisankofa #chisaraagor #ifrahismail #michaelbuffong #talawatheatrecompany #talesfromthefrontline #yamilofvenberg
  • Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre has announced a season of shows for 2021 which will include three world premieres and the revival of Laura Wade’s comedy Home I’m Darling @stephenjosephtheatre #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #alanayckbourn #homeimdarling #jackandthebeanstalk #laurawade #stephenjosephtheatre #thegirlnextdoor #theoffing
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

Michel Pennington to Release In My Own Footsteps A Memoir

Michel Pennington to Release In My Own Footsteps – A Memoir

Julius Caesar at the Bridge Theatre Ben Whishaw Brutus Photo credit Manuel Harlan

Bridge Theatre’s Julius Caesar Added to National Theatre At Home

© 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.