Review: Squires

From ‘Wouldn’t it be strange if we were ants?’ to ‘Girls are just like the rest of us and not different people!’

2 weeks ago

Step into a world where medieval chivalry meets absurdity in this original comedy. Set in a time of knights and castles, but with a refreshingly contemporary twist, the tale unfolds around four squires who form an unlikely band of misfits. Their lives become more interesting and confusing when they are joined by Philippa, who adopts the guise of Phil in an attempt to escape her past. As this motley crew navigates the intricacies of camaraderie and self-discovery, hilarity ensues against the backdrop of medieval mayhem.

This show takes on a lot, trying to combine an invigorating storyline, found family trope, main character’s journey of self-discovery and so much more, all while maintaining its comedic charm. Such a feat is no small task for any writer, let alone within the realm of student productions, where you never quite know what to expect. Yet, this show rises to the challenge admirably. Hannah Brecher, the writer and director, did an amazing job telling an intriguing story and developing complex characters who work so well together. Their chemistry is outstanding, and the dialogues are superb, filled with brilliant one-liners and hilarious remarks. The humour throughout is genuine and well-crafted, never feeling forced or out of place. The narrative flows smoothly, cleverly circling back to the beginning. The show managed to address deeper issues, such as societal roles under a monarchy and the infantilization of women, while maintaining a light atmosphere. And although the script may have spread itself a bit thin at times and the ending felt somewhat rushed, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise outstanding production. Overall, this was an amazing play, offering the audience an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience.

Image credits: Hannah Brecher

Credit is due to the cast, who brought these wonderfully quirky characters to life. The chemistry was electric, making every interaction feel authentic and compelling. Phoebe Tompkins shines as the wonderfully chaotic Fred. Their delivery never disappointed and the one-liners were incredibly funny. I found the scene where they were teaching Lance pickup lines so hilarious (and not just because I have a soft spot for cheesy puns). Dari by Alex Thompson was also incredible. Their hand gestures and facial expressions as they were on the verge of insanity while trying to be the voice of reason were fantastic. And the existential crisis while trying to win the science vs magic vs religion debate was so on point. Michael Iorchir as both Otto and Anaphylaxis was incredibly charming. The philosophical and sometimes wise Otto was still somehow as ridiculous as the rest of the characters. And Anaphylaxis was everything you would expect a drug dealing wizard to be.

Image credits: Hannah Brecher

Kavi Noonan as Lance was truly captivating. He showed impressive range while portraying Lance’s character development. From more serious emotional scenes to the chaotic comedic moments, Noonan’s performance was consistently engaging. The well-choreographed fights between Lance and Phil added an extra layer of excitement, and the interactions between these characters never failed to make me laugh. It was especially entertaining watching them when the audience knew that Phil was actually Philippa, but Lance was still completely clueless. Blossom Durr’s interpretation of Phil/Philippa was marked by exceptional versatility. Her mastery of facial expressions drew the audience into the character’s inner world, almost breaking the fourth wall with her engaging interactions. Her delivery and comedic timing were also spot-on. But who really stole the show for me was Daisy Bates as Tiffany, the not so helpless damsel in distress. The scenes with her were so entertaining, and she was so phenomenally dramatic and expressive. And the audience was excited to see her every time she appeared on stage. Also, her dress was absolutely stunning, credit to the costume designer Lola Stakenburg. While the costumes in general remained relatively simple, they perfectly complemented the narrative. Similarly, Jasper Harris’s lighting design skilfully set the mood and propelled the story forward, contributing to the overall success of the production.

Squires attempted to discuss the roles of men and women in society, the difference between poor and rich under a monarchy and the age-old debate of science vs magic. And it turned out to be a great comedy with a riveting narrative. The jokes never failed to make the audience laugh and the weird and eccentric characters were brilliant. This show was an absolute delight to watch.

Take an hour break from revision and come watch this wonderfully chaotic play, guaranteed to take your mind off of things.

4/5

Squires is showing on the 7th – 11th of May at 7:00 pm at Corpus Playroom. Book your tickets here.

Feature image credits: Hannah Brecher