reviews
Blood on Your Hands
★★★★★ - London Theatre Reviews
Sinister, moving and electric, Blood On Your Hands explores the dark side of the meat industry and the effects it has on the workers involved.
Directed by Anastasia Bunce and written by Grace Howarth, the two creatives undeniably complement each other.
‘Blood On Your Hands’ is, overall, an incredibly moving and disturbing piece. Its bravery in highlighting the lesser-known story of the exploited abattoir workers is commendable and brings to light the fact that a controversial topic such as veganism, has no need to be controversial at all.
★★★★ - West End Best Friend
The script is wonderfully written and allowed to pair to explore a beautiful friendship built on shared struggles but, ultimately, empathy. Anastasia Bunce’s direction really allows each character’s journey to unfold and take focus concurrently. Between her direction and Grace Joy Howarth’s writing, we are able to get a strong picture of the main characters’ life experiences prior to the present, which gives the piece depth.
Ultimately, the direction and performances are skilfully and impressively executed and it’s captivating to watch. This play deserves a strong future.
ThisWeekCulture - Interview with director Anastasia Bunce
Grace Joy Howarth’s play is incredibly original. Despite its somewhat heavy themes, the beauty of this play also lies in how well it captures male friendship. It’s a real writing talent to be able to combine both the political and the personal, weaving in so many different vital themes into one story line, and it has been incredibly exciting to bring this piece to life on stage.
Grace Joy Howarth is one of the most talented writers I’ve ever met and has immense range. I feel incredibly lucky to have met her! A real talent of hers lies in the ability to write shows on such sensitive topics without making them too didactic or moralistic.
Birdie's Adventures in the Animal Kingdom
★★★★★ - London Theatre Reviews
Anastasia Bunce’s direction works flawlessly alongside Grace Joy Howarth’s writing, as this lovely and enlightening story comes to life.
Birdie’s Adventures is a fun, family musical with wonderful music played by a live band and an important message we can all learn from.
It is a sweet, endearing and magical premise. Howarth’s music and lyrics are just as efficacious, clear, catchy and well composed, communicating the ethics and messages of the play well. Overall, this remains an endearing performance with an effective storyline.
This is a pleasant musical production, aimed at children from five to nine years old. It leans more towards the younger end of that age range as it manoeuvres a fine balance between fact and fantasy. Writer and composer Grace Joy Howarth serves up some enjoyable songs and harmonised pieces, well-executed under the musical direction of Griffin Jenkins. A boldly themed, fantastical call to action, saving the world from climate change.
Take Back Our Girls: She is Taken Lightly
We felt witnesses to the development of these promising writers and performers.
You couldn’t help but leave ‘Take Back: Our Girls’ with a smile on your face. The night had the phenomenal effect of making feminism fun, and never preachy. Take Back Theatre managed to discuss the distance women’s rights have to come, while emphasising the limitless nature of female potential and achievement.