About Time You Saw: BreedersBy Gilly Hopper
Overshadowed by the rambunctious productions at Victoria Palace Theatre (Billy Elliot) and the Apollo Theatre (Wicked), The St. James Theatre – the third Victoria-based theatre – is often overlooked. Offering a smaller off-Broadway style venue and studio space with heaps of gusto, The St. James Theatre – which recently saw its production of Urinetown transfer to the West End – is proving that within their small circuit beyond the West End, there is no weak link.
Image credit – Manuel Harlan
Breeders relays the journey of a lesbian couple that want to have a baby who shares both their DNA. Wittily breaking with tradition, this new comedy, by playwright Ben Ockrent, offers a fresh take on family and future planning. Sparing viewers a trite approximation of a ‘modern family portrait,’ Breeders, which stars Nicholas Burns, Angela Griffin, Tamzin Outhwaite and Jemima Rooper, confronts the viewer and opens up the question of what you should and would do when hoping to start a family – a joy to watch, even if it’s a thought that currently fills you with fear.
Image credit – Manuel Harlan
Actively supporting new talent alongside established theatre veterans, Breeders opens the ONE STAGE season at The St. James Theatre. ONE STAGE (running September – December) will present a three-part series in support of emerging commercial theatre producers, featuring Breeders, Uncle Vanya and Accolade.
Image credit – Manuel Harlan
Inspired by, although in no way loyal to, Ocktrent’s own life happenings (who hasn’t been asked to be a sperm donor at one time or other?), Breeders successfully intrigues, entices and impacts the audience in a jesting manner, while managing to embrace weightier themes of bigotry, death and the continuation of life.
Image credit – Manuel Harlan
Until 4th October, stjamestheatre.co.uk
