I’m a Londoner – More London Ampitheatre, London
Writer: Sam Bevitt, Roberto Trippini , Michael Clarkson, Ben Macnair
Director: Saima Duhare
Reviewer: Becky Middleton
The Public Reviews Rating: 
In the shadow of City Hall and adjacent to London Bridge is a concrete horseshoe amphitheatre that could easily be mistaken for an elaborate side entrance to the lower levels of the Mayor’s headquarters. But this summer it hosts a series of free events in theatre, music and film. One such event is the wonderful production of I’m a Londoner, held in the depths of the sunken open-air theatre. The venue is unique and perfectly proportioned to effectively use its natural acoustics to full effect.
The production is based around a series of character monologues from eight men and women, most of whom have arrived in London to make their fortunes and have quickly hit reality. Among them is the Belarusian fast food seller who is dodging visa officials and trying to make some extra money to survive, the Scottish homeless man who confronts the audience with some awkward truths about how he is ignored and marginalised from society, and the young drunk Nigerian girl who is isolated from her family because she does not wish to adhere to their customs and behaviours.
Each monologue is refreshingly short yet charming and entertaining, each overlapping each other with character interaction such as the homeless man asking the father of the next scene for spare change. Some are touching, some are more amusing than others, but all raise some important points and opinions about what it is to be ‘a Londoner’. London is multi-cultural and transient, historic yet one of the most modern and influential in the world. People from all over the world move to the city to seek their fame and fortune, and an interesting selection of these people are represented in this production in a funny and truthful portrayal of the layers of modern London.
Runs until 18th June
Tags: Ben Macnair, I'm A Londoner, London, Michael Clarkson, More London Amphitheatre, Roberto Trippini, Saima Duhare, Sam Bevitt, South Bank
11:51 am on June 20th, 2010
An enjoyable evening and no rain! Really enjoyed Roberto Trippini’s piece about the Italian arriving in London his suitcase. A witty and charming piece, played with wonderful energy truth and enthusiasm by Italian actor Luca. I also enjoyed the Nigerian girl’s monologue – very entertaining but it went on a tad too long. The girl on the phone’s monologue was just the right length for me, engaging and fun. Well done!