A modern take on a cult classic.
This cult classic comes to stage at the Brockley Jack Theatre and is presented by the Bromley Musical Theatre Company. The theatre companies’ approach to this cult classic is essentially more meaningful than just putting on a show. They are an inclusive and welcoming community, which considering that the character Carrie isn’t welcomed to her peers, shows how aware we have become as a society. As the material addresses periods and a lack of period education, they are supporting the Bromley Hygiene Bank during the run of the show and audience members are free to donate period products to be distributed to those who may not have access to period products.
We all know the plot of Carrie or at least are familiar with the pig’s blood scene which probably has stuck in a lot of people’s minds. But this adaption has a modern twist to it. Characters are using phones, taking selfies, videoing anything and everything to share. This made for some comedic and relatable moments which was a nice break from the heaviness of the plot. The costume was typical American High School and what you would expect.
The set was minimal, two dividers with both sides made up to portray Carrie’s house and the school with a platform in the middle used for interrogating one of the characters and for that infamous scene. The limited space was used well, with the performers changing the set written into the action which is always a clever device and helped the audience to be absorbed into the scene. The songs were really well written and performed, conveying a lot of the said/unsaid that from memory the film would have probably had and conveyed the messages of the film and book in a different perspective. Casting was well done and the performers really brought the characters to life with an almost mean girl twist about it.
Overall, this adaption is good. It addresses issues still relevant 30 odd years on and the theatre company supporting the Hygiene Bank highlights how much more we as a society, needs to do to educate on something that is natural. This adaption leans more into the shame of becoming a woman. Whether you interpret that as religious trauma would be a personal thing, not being religious myself, I wouldn’t interpret it that way as I haven’t experienced that, but this adaption allows you the space to take meaning however you see fit. Either way, it highlights the toxicity and the impact that beliefs can convey. If you love the film, book, have seen previous adaptions, then I think you would appreciate this approach. This performance is on at the Brockley Jack Studio Theatre until 1st August.