Writers: Gabriele Uboldi & Samuel Rees
Lessons on Revolution is an exciting collaboration and the latest offering from Gabriele Uboldi and Samuel Rees, of Undone Theatre and Carmen Collective respectively. Billed as documentary theatre, the production is a rapid blend of global history, student protest and philosophy which audiences must fully embrace or risk getting left behind.
The core material of the show comes from examining the LSE Troubles – a series of student protests at the London School of Economics played out against a backdrop of global civil unrest in 1967-69. References to other political movements are made throughout, along with personal details and self-aware musings from the creatives, but the events at LSE provide the catalyst and framework for the evening’s investigation.
One of the greatest strengths of Lessons on a Revolution is the way the piece meets its viewers on a welcoming and approachable level. Immediately upon entering the space, the audience is immersed in a cluttered but cosy home-office set design by Ella Dale – complete with intimate optional floor seating. Uboldi and Rees greet everyone with the option of tea and/or biscuits and it feels like a casual community chit-chat is about to unfold.
Lessons on Revolution is, however, a highly expositional piece which maintains slick momentum with assistance from a well-paced sound design by Rudy Percival. This underscoring is an intelligent choice which assists the continuous flow of information, although viewers may find it overwhelming if they lose the thread. Frequent tongue-in-cheek references are made to how Netflix would break up and dramatise the story, but ironically a clearer narrative hook would help viewers get a foothold in this production.
Uboldi and Rees are personable and honest from the outset, disclaiming that neither of them are professionally trained actors and they will be calling upon audience members to play certain roles throughout. The pair do stumble through the occasional phrase, but prove to be charismatic hosts for the evening and their friendly approach puts the audience at ease.
Overall, Lessons on Revolution feels like an ambitious concept with room to grow. There is ample food for thought and the final scenes of the production clearly throw into perspective the open-ended, existential themes of the piece. If audiences can fully invest in the journey, then they will leave the experience feeling thoughtful and satisfied.
Runs until 7 October 2023
