Reality Bites at the Arches Theatre looks at how reality TV interacts with real life once a show has been aired. 

Four individuals appear in silhouette behind illuminated screens that fans of the TV programme Naked Attraction will immediately recognise. (Spoiler alert; no nudity or naked bodies here). Reality Bites consists of four monologues; each person stepping from behind the screen and telling a story in which their lives have been subtly or not so subtly changed by the TV programme in which contestants appear naked.

This is the second collection of monologues by writer Jamie Christian.  

The acting is incredibly impressive with each character having their own moment in the spot light. Luis Donegan-Brown opens the play as Chris, a gay black man, who has some bitingly witty one-liners when talking about his (seemingly despised) date Ralph. We can all relate to this character with a feeling of knowing him or people like him.

Max, performed expertly by Simeon Willis, establishes the character with his first words. A slightly creepy, but ultimately unhappy, married man who invents a work situation during Twixmas with an aim to seduce a young office temp.

Laura Shipler Chico’s portrayal of Patti, a god-fearing American living in Peckham, is the only one to have appeared on the TV programme, draws plenty of laughs. Her animated expressions and gestures immerse us in Patti’s world, prompting both empathy and amusement.

Robert Eades is Joshua, a fitness fanatic who is going through a break-up on his 27th Birthday. By including impersonations of both his father and girlfriend, Eades creates several humorous moments that help the audience connect with the character. Changing between high-energy boxing and pensive moments of vulnerability and tears, he displays a wonderfully rich range of emotions.

The play is followed by a post-show panel of experts. Thursday’s panellists included Heather Baker (Samaritans listening volunteer), Julius Cowdry (Made in Chelsea), Silva Neves (psychotherapist), Nick Thompson via video link and Daniel Zwerdling (journalist) acting as moderator. The panel explored the Reality behind Reality shows and the consequences of exposing your life to the camera.

Christian has created a play that contains elements of humour but with a serious undertone. The monologues weave together unexpectedly to create a remarkable narrative, thanks to both the strong acting, Christian’s script and robust direction by Andy McLeod. Stay for the discussion after the show if you can.

Reviewed by Nina Gardner

4 1/2 stars.

Photo credit Tunde Euba.

https://www.archeslanetheatre.com/

Creatives

Director              Andy MaCleod

Writer                  Jamie Christian

Producer           Laura Shipler Chico

Assistant Producer     Sophia Perkins

Lighting Design             David Wayman

Set & Costume Design            Phil Newman

Sound and Light Technician Ed Tuke

Cast

Chris    Luis Donegan-Brown

Max       Simeon Willis

Patti      Laura Shipler Chico

Joshua                                Robert Eades