Phoenix at Hackney Downs Studios – review
Jasmine Jobson plays Latitia in Phoenix by the Big House Theatre company
In a world where no one has ever seemingly cared, Letitia is strengthening the fortress around her but she’s courting turbulence and it’s taking her to the edge…
As the audience follows the cast of Phoenix through the industrial rooms of Hackney Downs Studios, emotion is flung about as promenade theatre delivers the compelling message about children in care and the challenges they face.
Artistic director, Maggie Norris, captures the vehemence and despair of an often vilified part of society, while mixing it with streaks of comic warmth and characters everyone can relate to.
In an array of absorbing performances, the Big House Theatre family, made up of care experienced young Londoners, tells a tale of the pain and battle of rejection and survival for these isolated young people’s lives.
And in a form of theatre akin to therapy, some of the actors’ childhoods and words are the basis of playwright Andrew Day’s script.
Lead actor Jasmine Jobson, 18, who plays fiery Letitia, says: “The script is based on the lives of all of us – we sat down with the script writer and explained what it was like in social services and how it is unpredictable.
“I hope the audience see our life stories and form an understanding of what it feels like to be a child in the system and the frustration of everything. I want people to understand that every child in care has been through a lot of deep stuff. Never prejudge us or be judgemental about things we may have done in the past, or our behavioural issues – it is only due to everything we have been through.”
Phoenix is at Hackney Downs Studios Amhurst Terrace, E8 2B until 14 December.