HITS AND PIECES #5 (SPICE GIRLS), The Cockpit Theatre Review
Reviewed by Bronagh for Theatre and Tonic.
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
Anything Spice Girls related, I’ll be there. But theatre AND Spice Girls? Am I dreaming? I was two years old when Wannabe was released, yet the opening bars induce a sense of pulsing nostalgia, so ferocious that it pumps through my veins faster than you can say ‘spice up your life’.
Hits and Pieces is a concept developed by Matchstick Theatre Company, where they put on four short plays in one night centres around a popular song. Songs are chosen by the audience, and so far they have had Sisqo’s ‘Thong Song’ and Cher’s ‘Believe to name a few. It’s now the Spice Girls turn to have four short plays centred around the lyrics on Wannabe. From ‘getting with my friends’ to ‘friendship never ends’, the writers have taken lyrics and put their own spin on them and interpreted them in ways you perhaps wouldn’t expect.
This is the first time I’ve seen any of the Hits and Pieces shows, and certainly won’t be the last. I have to say, I really enjoyed both the concept of the four short plays and equally enjoyed the content. The plays were short and snappy, brimming with original and fun ideas. My particular favourites were ‘Gotta Get With My Friends’ and ‘Friendship Never Ends’. Before Hits and Pieces, I can’t say I have ever seen anybody take on the role of a pencil – I liked it! Clever direction from Natasha Vasandani, and fantastic writing from Mark Daniels there.
I really enjoyed all performances, with each performer putting on a quality show. Emma Read in ‘Gotta Get With My Friends’ was a particular favourite, her delivery and timing was spot on. Introducing the puppet was a brilliant idea.
The space in the Cockpit Theatre was perfect for this show, intimate enough you could see all facial expressions but spacious enough to not feel like you were sitting on top of each other. This is a venue I’ve only recently been to for the first time, and I can 100% see many repeat visits on the cards.
Hits and Pieces ends with us being told what the next song they will write plays about is… on this occasion, it’s Toxic by Britney Spears. That is one show I cannot wait to see! Members of the audience were invited to write their suggestions down and pop them in a pint glass ready for selection. Again, that was something I really liked and what a great way to involve the audience.
Overall, I thought Hits and Pieces was great fun and such a good night out. I cannot wait to see what the company have up their sleeves for the next show!
★ ★ ★ ★
