It is exciting to return to a venue you have not been to for years, and even more to discover a new space within: The Other Theatre is currently loudly celebrating the new 90s musical based on the generation-defining film hit Cruel Intentions (look for the bench dedicated for audience pics in the foyer) but the smaller, much more informal Studio space is worth a visit as well. On the way down to it, do not miss the amazing black-and-white photographs of old Hollywood grandeur: Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant and Elizabeth Taylor to name a few.
Combining in a refreshingly timeless manner The Office set-up, Peep Show responses and heavy Aggretsuko chords with brief Bridget Jones (pardon the pun) and Nelly Furtado-enhanced High Fidelity heartbrokenness, the play Karen summarises all white-collar romance nightmares into a funny mad rant for a post-work, woman-led, mid-week friendly hour in the theatre: Unfair promotions, dramas at the photocopier, unrequested HR talks and passive-aggressive fridge wars with colleagues and other frenemies all to be repeatedly lived through Monday to Friday, week for week, nine to five. Plus overtime, unpaid because no one is to know about the disastrous, very unexpected thirtieth birthday split-up, mid-way a Calippo in the theme park when rollercoasters and hopes were at their highest for a proposal and nails already polished in I-do-pink – especially not now the ex-partner has moved in with the office cow.
Sarah Cameron-West is not afraid of gurning or of tears and laughs on her behalf (she gets plenty, all well deserved), and still grants her heroine a happy end after having dragged her for months through the same cursed life as the second Mrs de Winter in her mouthy rant: Karen is the Rebecca of our times, appearing acoustically for a single phone call towards the end but only once our protagonist has mentally and physically moved on. It is a relief how little she cares by now. In a fair world Karen (the play) moves around far as well, and make office workers laugh everywhere it is being taken – and not only those working in recruitment. Thinking of it, why don’t they bring their stationary cupboard flirt along? After Edinburgh Fringe and London, could the next reference included possibly be Sex And The City…? In the Big…? No more spoilers – but good luck, it’d be deserved!
**** out of 5 stars
Karen was running at The Other Palace theatre in March 2024, tickets from £19.
Sadie takes the Stage 