F**KING LEGEND At Riverside Studios, London Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Chelsea
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this production, which only adds excitement! The only information you have prior is an array of 4 and 5 star reviews praising Olly Hawes work, and the following: ‘F**king Legend is a show about socks and sex and loving someone even though they’re quite annoying, […] and fear of death, cognitive dissonance, and whether or not it’s an issue that you’re watching the world burn and all you can do is try to find meaning in the dancing of the flames, and also is it even possible to be a good man?’
This one-man show was incredible. I could never quite figure out what was going to happen next. In an intimate setting of several rows of chairs curved around the stage with a pathway through the middle; he interacted with the audience with ease. If you sit in the front row or at the aisle seat; be prepared for some extra engagement, could just be a nice little question, a look, or it could be being shouted at directly, who knows.
The ongoing internal monologue was incredibly portrayed, and is likely to deeply resonate with just about everyone with the current state of things across the globe. At times the room just fell silent and you could feel the tension and the weight of realisation of, hey, we’ve all had this thought or a thought like it… Olly made a note of the tense atmosphere and we had a little sing song of Tequila, and all was well again… until the next monologue started.
Olly is an incredibly talented actor, and it was just incredible to watch him perform. His emotions were so clear, you felt them. His storytelling so descriptive that you could imagine perfectly, insert yourself as a bystander in that environment, rather than an audience member watching someone on stage. He is so skilful that at one point, I hated him, the next I felt sorry for him – by him, I want to mean his character, but the depiction of events felt so real, like they were being recalled from scrambled memories.
It is important to note that there is a trigger warning for this show of “descriptions of violence, sex, sexual violence and strong language”, and references to drug use. I can’t say I’ve felt that uncomfortable during a show before, but I can wholeheartedly say that I would watch him perform again. Completely and utterly gripping, leaving my internal monologue with a lot more to discuss.
Riverside studios as a venue was so lovely as well, right on the river, gorgeous views, and a lovely little bar and restaurant – I’m sure a lot more to offer within this space as well!
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £10 (plus a £1.50 transaction fee, and an optional £3 donation to the Riverside Trust).
F**KING LEGEND is at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith from Tuesday 19th November until Saturday 21st December, for more information or to book tickets visit https://www.riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/fking-legend-136800/ or call the box office on 02082371010 or email at boxoffice@riversidestudios.co.uk
101 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London, W6 9BN