Stop Kiss, Above The Stag Theatre - ★★★★ - Until November 30, 2019


Callie reports on the traffic from a helicopter. She is separated from the world below and from herself until she is forced to confront life and her assumptions by Sara. In contrast, the latter has taken control of her life by moving to New York City and becoming deeply engaged as a teacher of under-privileged children. Diana Son gives us a very well written and thoroughly engaging work. From the initial meeting of the two women through their developing attraction the relationship is touchingly and humorously presented. The choice of narrative technique creates a tension and a sense of foreboding that would have been lost in a more linear telling of this love story. It ensures that the audience's attention is riveted even as we know what inevitably will happen. While there is a serious political point being made here, Son wisely lets the audience draw it out, concentrating on creating plausible characters while avoiding a polemic. Suzanne Boreel as Callie gets it just right with a swagger and some snappy repartee that fail to hide her character's vulnerability. Kara Taylor Alberts also rings completely true as the softer more engaged but, in fact, stronger Sara. The rest of the cast are equally excellent. They establish their characters with great economy and ensure that their characterisations contribute to the verisimilitude and arc of the story. With a strong script and a solid production, Stop Kiss should definitely be on your list for a theatrical night out!

 Reviewed by J.C.

  Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

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 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until November 2, 2019
Tue - Sat: 7:45 pm, Sun: 6:15 pm & Nov 17: 3 pm
Above The Stag Theatre
Nearest tube: Vauxhall
http://www.abovethestag.com/vxl/whatson/stop-kiss/
Map & Location: 72 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London SE1 7TP, UK

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