Kiss Me
Trafalgar Studios
6th June to 8th July 2017
“This new play is a beautiful and unorthodox love story about two people struggling to
escape the guilt and ghosts of the past, set against the shifting world of London post-
World War I. As the roles women play change, Stephanie, a war widow finds it increasingly
difficult to play by the rules as she still longs to have a baby. A meeting with Dennis changes
everything. A desperate woman. A chivalrous man. And a forbidden kiss”.
Writer Richard Bean
Director Anna Ledwich
Designer Georgia Lowe
Lighting Designer Matt Haskins
Sound Designer Sarah Weltman
Associate Designer Hannah Wolfe
Stage Manager Ella Saunders
Producer Mark Cartwright
Claire Lams
Ben Lloyd-Hughes
Review by the Decadent Designer, 4 Stars
As expected from Trafalgar Studios this performance was of an incredibly high standard!
The set, designed in brilliant detail by Georgia Lowe, takes full advantage of every bit of the studio space and instantly transports you back to the 1920’s with help from the soundscape/ sound design, designed Sarah Weltman. It is impossible not to instantly grasp the time period in which this play is set as soon as you enter the theatre.
The scenic design is beautifully simple and you can tell each element has been thoroughly thought about in the design process. From the detailing around the edge of the mirror composition, that acts a backdrop for the play, to the distressed carpet that upholsters the floor and celling of the performance space each set piece has been carefully crafted.
Everything in the play kept the period alive, all the props and costumes authenticated the interesting issues of the time discussed in the piece.
With limited room for lighting in Trafalgar Studios 2, lighting designer, Matt Haskins definitely had his work cut out. Like the scenic design the simplicity of the lighting also worked very well. There is no change of location in this piece and the lighting should replicate the light normally found in a bedroom. Matt Haskins design lit the performance well although in places there was to much movement with lights coming up and down as Stephanie (Claire Lams) walked from one side of the stage to the other. This was technically pleasing to watch but considering it was set in a bedroom there is no way Stephanie would have a lighting rig that would track her as she walked around. I get that this was to add drama but at some times I personally believe the changes were too evident. That is me being incredibly reviewer-y, as other than that the lighting was consistent throughout.
All-round an interesting piece of theatre with themes that are still relevant today. All the production values were good but what truly made this piece great was the tremendous performances by Claire Lams and Ben Lloyd-Hughes.
Review by
The Decadent Designer
@DDReviewsUK
Photo Credit Robert Day
Performance Dates Tuesday 6th June – Saturday 8th July 2017
Monday – Saturday 7.45pm
Thursday and Saturday matinees 3pm
Running time 70 minutes
Twitter @TrafStudios, #KissMe
Location Trafalgar Studios, 14 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY
www.atgtickets.com/venues/trafalgar-studios
How to get there Trafalgar Studios is located on Whitehall. The nearest
underground stations are Charing Cross (on the
Bakerloo and Northern lines), Embankment (on the
Bakerloo, Northern, Circle and District lines),
Westminster (on the Jubilee, Circle and District lines)
and Leicester Square (on the Northern and Piccadilly
lines). The nearest rail station is Charing Cross.
Box Office Tickets are available for £35, £25, £15 from the
Trafalgar Studios Box Office and
http://www.atgtickets.com, 0844 871 7632