Broken China

Some of you may have read of my last trip to The Basement. For my return visit, I was a little more conscious, while dressing, of the need to fit in. I needn't have bothered as it turns out. It was the opening night of Broken China; the theatre crowd were there in full force, the tongues were wagging and all eyes were on everyone else but me.

Broken China tells the story of two 1950's housewives, both on the surface the picture of domestic servitude and bliss. A post-card from a bygone era; glassy-eyed apron wearers who dream of nothing more than cleanliness, uniformity and new lino. Joan is at home dutifully doing her chores when Joyce knocks on the door and invites herself around for tea; a tipple likely to change their lives forever. Their two worlds, secretly in crisis, are exposed as the play progresses; social expectations are stripped bare and worlds unravel.

The performances here from creators Chelsie Preston Crayford and Sophie Roberts are both excellent. The two really capture their characters in all their Formica glory. Humour, insight and dignity with a dark undercurrent.  (I suppose it helps that they invented the characters!)

The dialogue is the key. It's hilarious both in content and delivery with snipes from either woman masquerading as compliments and niceties. Ah the glories of social etiquette.

This is the kind of theatre that I like. It's new, it's compelling and it's both bloody funny and challenging, often at the same time.

As the brochure says:

This bold new work is a celebration of the moments that offer us escape, and the joy to be found in smashing teacups and ripping up the lino. 

Moments of escape are few and far between, Broken China is one such moment and you should grab it before it's little porcelain handle snaps off. You absolutely have my recommendation to go and see it.

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4 1/2 shattered china tea cups