The Tenant’s Republic at Jack Studio Theatre Review
Written by Penny for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
This new play from writer Kwami-Teye Canacoo is a satirical comedy about one man’s response to a terrible private landlord, a story that will resonate with anybody who has ever waited two weeks for a faceless property owner to call out an emergency plumber to visit their rented flat.
Its central character, Donovan Pearce, is on the cusp of turning 30 and trying to navigate relationships, unemployment, and following his dreams of becoming a superstar DJ whist living in a poky one bedroom flat with a broken boiler (in winter!) and a landlord who has decided to raise the rent by 10%.
As the play progresses, and Donovan (Don) goes to rather extreme lengths to avoid being evicted, it is played very much for laughs but are some underlying political messages about tenants’ rights, and treatment of refugees.
The story does not try to be realistic. With the help of his lawyer sister Finn, Don declares his flat an independent State, Dondonia, breaking away from the UK and therefore not subject to its laws and therefore no eviction. Membership of the EU is achieved almost overnight and Don finds himself travelling to Brussels and representing his new country at high level meetings, solving international conflicts with his simple solutions based on common sense rather than political trickery. It all culminates in extensive media coverage and a showdown with the UK Prime Minister. The absurdity of the plot works well to highlight the gap in fortunes between the rich ruling classes and the ordinary people who are usually powerless to stand up to them.
As well as writing the play, Canacoo also directs. He makes the most of the humour in his script. The jokes land well and the interactions between his characters are well paced and there’s a good balance between very natural dialogue between the rather hapless Don and his high-flying older sister and the more over the top elements of the play, notably a manic news reporter who pops up to report on developments in Dondonia – let’s not question whether one man’s protest would really make national news!
At times, particularly early on in the performance, some of the movement around the set feels a little rushed – reactions to “noises off” are too quick to be credible. It’s a minor thing that could easily be fixed with just a little more reaction time. At times the actors’ projection isn’t quite strong enough. The more manic episodes are delivered with great energy and gusto, but other interactions can be a bit too low-key, getting a little lost, even in the intimate space of the Jack Studio.
As our hero and main protagonist Donovan, Andrew Atha is very well cast. He has a classic sitcom energy, full of exaggerated facial expressions and meltdowns worthy of Basil Fawlty. Despite us learning fairly early on that he’s a bit of a hopeless case – nearly 30 with no career and still relying on the Bank of Mum and Dad – it’s easy to root for this underdog as Atha brings an easy charm to his performance.
As Don’s older sister Finn, Amy Beckett is also excellent. She has a strong big sister energy, a voice of calm amidst the storm that is her brother’s more chaotic personality and lifestyle. Her reactions and observations are every bit as entertaining as Don’s more obvious comedy.
Anna Pritchard-Howarth is Estate Agent Tina, moving from marketing-speak delivered in a monotone to showing more warmth and humanity as she gets drawn into Don’s tale. There could have been a little more of a marked contrast in her delivery and physicality to show her move from robotic wage slave to free thinker but hers was still a compelling story arc.
Aaron Garland does well in a slightly underwritten role, neighbour Omar. If Don is our underdog, Omar is the underdog’s underdog and there’s a missed opportunity in the script to have him rebel against the way Don treats him, instead there’s a passive acceptance that he’ll submit to authority, any authority.
Completing the cast, Matt Ackermann takes on multiple roles – convincing in roles from a removal man to the Prime Minister, and standing out as the slightly manic TV Reporter berating his hapless crew (the audience!).
In a final scene, the elusive landlord (Ackermann) makes an appearance. It’s very funny, but also underlines the inequality in our society. Can we ever “stick it to the man” if the man is still going to walk away with a big wad of cash?
Running at 85 minutes, The Tenant’s Republic could probably do with having 5-10 minutes shaved off its running time, but is still a very entertaining piece of theatre. Although packed with laughs and ridiculous characters and situations, it still provides plenty of food for thought around the social issues behind the story.
The Tenant’s Republic runs at the Jack Studio Theatre until Saturday 18th October. Book tickets here.
★★★