The Big Bite-Size Vintage Tea Party
A series of short plays crocheted together by a singing trio of wartime lovelies, this was an authentic and well-researched vintage experience with fine acting. Featuring backdrops of long-gone Brighton slums, the pieces took us through a range of emotions as we witnessed heart-wrenching genuine reminiscences from Brighton residents, as well as some original and highly entertaining contemporary writing with a 1940’s theme. My only quibble was that the show failed to deliver a true ‘tea party’ experience as the refreshments were self-service and only available before, rather than during, the performance.
The Warren, 20 May 2012
Rating:
Tirimasu
Having seen the Bite Size Banquet at the Brunswick last year, I was really looking forward to this. What a disappointment!
There was no indication in the brochure that tea and cakes would be available BEFORE the event and when we got there we assumed that the event taking place in the gardens was an earlier event (there was a blackboard timetable listing events). It was very hit and miss as to who actually got cakes or tea.
The venue smelled like a school gym and the actors were very difficult to hear ( we were not many rows back). Despite the material being referred to as ‘fresh’ in the brochure, one entire sketch was one we had heard last year.
I saw the show today, got there in good time for a cuppa and a nice cake and enjoy the lovely singing tealadies, and in spite of the almost white heat inside, enjoyed the show which was well thought through to give a tiny taste of the 40s , and thought the acting and plays enjoyable, especially the excellent Stephanie Prince in her moving and delicately written monologue. I could hear every word, The venue did not manage the tea serving very well, but if you go to something about WW2 surely the queueing is authentic?