A powerhouse of a play from two powerhouse performers
Sometimes a play comes along which makes your job as a reviewer incredibly easy. A Letter To Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First, an absurdist two-hander tackling the idealised American childhood and masculinity, is such a play.
From the second our two performers, Xhloe Rice and Natasha Roland, arrive into the space as our heroes Ace and Grasshopper, muddy-kneed and adorned in Scout garb, we know we are in more than capable hands. A few wild stories, knockabouts, harmonica harmonisations and spit-shakes later, they have our full and undivided attention.
Both Rice and Roland are incredibly compelling performers; forgive me if I run out of adjectives. Their charm, energy and heart are endlessly overflowing as they lead us through tale after epic tale, with larger than life portrayals that remain utterly believable. One moment they’ll be clowning around with impeccable precision, the next stock still, fizzing with repressed energy that their eyes cannot hide. Together, they are like one body and mind, and there is not a single second where their commitment, presence and connection drops. It’s full, subtle, masterful work which plays to all four sides of the King’s Head Theatre space with ease.
The dialogue–written by them–is crafted with equal meticulousness. It helps that Rice and Roland both come from military families, but what particularly impresses me is the depiction of boyhood, of masculinity. The show sparkles with humour and love and manages expert specificity whilst tackling big themes: where we place our faith; the double-edged swords of discipline and ambition; what’s lost in the journey to be a man.
Sometimes, it’s what’s not said that matters. Or, perhaps, what can’t be said. By the time the show reaches its inevitable climax, when the pretend becomes real, it hits us as if we’ve known these lost boys all their lives.
Take the above and add in Angelo Sagnelli’s simple but effective lighting design, and a sound design employed with rabbit-pulling precision, and Xhloe and Natasha have created a magic 50-minute rollercoaster you cannot afford to miss.
It’s not a surprise they find themselves the winners of a Fringe First Award for the third year in a row. Beg, borrow and pray to Johnson to make sure you see this show while it lasts. I promise you’ll love it. Shake on it.