★★★★
Review: Please Right Back, a co-production between 1927 and Burgtheatre Vienna - on tour throughout the UK until Dec 2024 and at the Oxford Playhouse until Sat 28 September. For Oxford performances book here. Our reviewer attended the Oxford show on Thursday 27 September at the Oxford Playhouse.
[Disclosure: Our reviewer received free tickets, and free drinks for the purposes of this review.]
Please Right Back is a theatre production that tells the story of how a family deals with a difficult issue and how the systems that are supposed to help, only make things worse.
There is a lot to like about this vibrant and colourful co-production by 1927 & Burgtheater Vienna. Clearly, everyone involved is committed and invested – so every aspect of the production is carefully and lovingly made.
This is one of the few productions that I’ve seen that really pushes the limit of what can be achieved with the combination of live theatre and pre-recorded film – and I particularly loved the fact that one of the characters in the production, an animation, was entirely pre-recorded, with the cast members interacting with the character is a realistic way.
I also loved the fact that current, accessible technology was used in a very pragmatic and clever way. There are virtually no physical sets, yet the three cinema-sized screens on stage ensure that there are vibrant, breathtaking, and imaginative visuals throughout. The four actors each take multiple characters and interact with the filmed backdrop with incredibly well timed precision – making the interactions between live actor and filmed scene seem spontaneous and rather magical. This works particularly well in scenes where the characters can stay on one spot while the filmed scenery rolls by.
The performances of all the actors were competent, and some were excellent. However, I did feel that the filmed sets often constrained the actors’ natural performances as they had to make sure they were standing on exactly the right spot at exactly the right time – to interact with pre-recorded filmed sequences. When the live performance is constrained by the limits of the technology, as is often the case in technology heavy shows, I think something is always lost.
I don’t think I would have noticed this had the story been strong. However, while the story was worthy, and the exploration of the issue (which I won’t spoil for you) was sensitively and sometimes humorously done – it wasn’t riveting. I think that a good way to test a story, is to imagine it performed on an empty stage by actors all dressed in black. Would the story on its own mesmerise and entertain? If not, the story probably needs further development. In this production, sans screens and sans technology, for me, the story would be only mildly diverting.
Please Right Back is a well thought through and conscientiously produced show – and many people will love it.
All images by Andrew Perry.
If you enjoyed reading this review, you may enjoy reading my other reviews of shows at the Oxford Playhouse. You might also enjoy reading reviews of technology heavy shows.
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