Under A Foreign Sky – Unicorn Theatre, London

Writer: Paula B. Stanic

Director: Natalie Wilson

Reviewer: Deborah Klayman

The Public Reviews Rating:

A new play by Paula B. Stanic, Theatre Centre’s Under A Foreign Sky is thought-provoking, engaging and relevant. Set in present day London, with immigration at the forefront of most people’s minds, the piece introduces a variety of characters from both the UK and overseas who are trying to get by in the midst of global economic crisis. With increasing hostility and suspicion directed at migrants, the play gives a context to the lives of three young people in search of a new start.

The newcomers are played by Simona Bitmaté and Geraint Rhys Edwards, with a third character (a twelve year old boy) who does not feature but is integral to the plot. He was taken by an unknown female on landing at Heathrow and is now missing, and is being searched for by Joanna Simpkins and Miles Yekinni, who suspect he is being trafficked. Bitmaté plays a fourteen year old girl reunited with her mother after many years, who finds London life difficult to adjust to because her English is poor and their relationship strained. In this, her professional debut, Bitmaté plays the role with great sensitivity and vulnerability, and her ill-equipped mother is nicely played by Daisy Whyte, who plays a variety of roles, showcasing her versatility. Edwards’ is excellent as a teenaged Jamie Oliver wannabe, who takes a poorly paid job in a restaurant to gain experience and develops a lovely friendship with the chef (Yekinni) who tries to help him.

Skilfully directed by Natalie Wilson, the audience are placed on three sides making the production an intimate affair. The original music, composed and arranged by Dan Steele, is well used and compliments the piece, however Matt Edward’s set – although very stylish – it isn’t particularly functional and doesn’t seem to suit the action. The play itself is on the whole well written and thought through, however there was a repetitious phone scene between Simpkins and Whyte that seemed solely to serve as punctuation and did not feel developed. The strongest elements of the play are the relationships between the characters and the realistic portrayal of the challenges facing them. The whole cast give strong performances throughout and are fully committed – this is certainly a show that challenges the audience and will resonate with most.