Review: A Roof Above My Head (Lion and Unicorn Theatre)

The debut of A Roof Above My Head was performed as part of Camden Fringe, and I went along to see the show during this run.  This was also Poor Penny Theatre Company’s first production. My first thought when I heard about this show was, this company is made up of two recent graduates. Not only did they produce this show, but they also wrote it and are performing in it themselves.  Sometimes this can be a tricky thing to pull off.

Let me say straight away, you’d never know this was a debut production if you weren’t aware in advance. Not only is the writing very well formed, but the play discusses subjects that are often glossed over in conversations, and raises some deep questions that can be quite uncomfortable to bring out into the open. It is obvious that the show has been through a comprehensive development process, and it was a pleasure to see it in this form.

Corey-Rhys Edwards (as Tommi) and Jack Charlton Nevitt (as Aaron) are the creators of this piece, (along with setting up the production company). The characters meet outside a pub, from very different situations at that moment in time, and discuss how they have come to be where they are. Additional input by Xoan Elsdon as Baron and Latifa Njie as Vera with vocal contributions completed the cast.

The topics covered felt raw and relatable. The emotional isolation both characters were experiencing was palpable and the connection they made as a result felt genuine. Both characters had their flaws and yet when they started communicating with each other honestly about how they found themselves in their current situations, they made strides forward both for themselves and the other person.  This writing felt, in parts, like it must come from personal experience, as it was so convincing and a frankly devastating portrayal of how people can present very differently to how they are feeling inside. It also contained a satisfying twist which is always a bonus in my view.

When the show ended, I had the strangest realisation that I’d forgotten I was watching a show, it was the weirdest feeling but in a very good way, I’d felt like I was observing the conversation between these two young men outside a pub - no acting involved - it was Tommi and Aaron discussing their lives.  I was quite startled when it ended, as a result. For a relatively short run time, this impact was quite striking and only emphasises the talent that was present on this stage.

An emotionally intelligent piece, produced and performed by some very talented creative people.

It is pleasing to see on Poor Penny’s Instagram that they are already working on producing a second show. Their aim to bring new writing from script to stage is one I fully admire, and I will be interested to see this emerging company go from strength to strength in future.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Roof Above My Head is next going to be part of Lambeth Fringe, showing at the Bread and Roses Theatre on Saturday 27^th September. Tickets are available via this link.

I was gifted a ticket for this show in exchange for an honest review.

If you would like to see my curtain call photos from this show, and others, please visit my Instagram.