ROTTEN – Sheffield University Drama Studio

Writer: Josie White

Director: Rikki Beadle-Blair

Approaching the end of its UK tour,ROTTENarrives at the University of Sheffield’s Drama Studio. The play, written by Josie White, focuses on three aspiring actresses slumming it together. They all dream of a better life but all of them find themselves tied up in criminal activity when their drug dealer, who also has complicated relations with some of them, arrives on the scene. Whilst the plot does get a bit over the top, it is gripping, building tension as we wait to see what each of these complex and unpredictable characters does next.

Sometimes plays set in one room can become a little slow, but director Rikki Beadle-Blair ensures this never happens. The venue’s playing space lends itself to creating a claustrophobic flat in which no one escape each other and each person’s actions has consequences on everyone.

Nicola Taggart gives a fantastic performance as Saoirse – a truly selfish character who will go behind anyone’s back for her own gain. Taggart plays each of the character’s twists and reveals very well, each one getting suitable pay off. Narisha Lawson gives a wonderfully energetic performance as Coco. She has good comic timing and despite being a bit of a brash character, the audience still warm to her leading to the audience’s hearts breaking as hers does. Kavita Vyas completes the leading trio as Sonia. She brings great contrast to the trio as the slightly more prim and proper one but the way the show ends for the character feels a bit out of the blue – she’s perhaps the one of the three whose background gets explored the least.

Sam Butters plays drug dealer Ross, a Londoner through and through who gets tied up with the wrong crowds. He has good rapport with each of the leading trio respectively, but we never really learn much about him as an individual. Alice Berry completes the cast in the featured role of Iris. She is a delight in the show as the wealthy woman who lives in the neighbouring apartment block, completely inhabiting the character and showing multiple sides to her despite the minimal stage time.

ROTTENtouches on a wide variety of topical issues but none of them get explored in much depth – most are just mentioned as a character discusses their history. Regardless, it’s a gripping play with a talented cast of rising talent – a fantastic introduction to a group of talented performers and creatives who no doubt have many exciting things in their future.

Reviewed on 8th November 2024.