Tobacco Factory Theatres review: Mmm Hmmm

Posted on: 2016-01-22

Our rating:

I could have watched?listened?all night, but also fully understand the need for brevity ? if you haven?t previously thought of singing as a physical activity, you certainly will after watching this show.


 

Vivienne Kennedy reviews Mmm Hmmm, playing at the Tobacco Factory Theatre until 23rd January

Mmnn Hmmm at Tobacco Factory in Bristol

Mmm Hmmm is a short piece of a capella song theatre, written and directed by the very talented Verity Standen and currently playing at Tobacco Factory Theatres. I loved it in November 2014 when I watched it at The Brewery and my only doubt before last night was that it wouldn’t transfer well from that very intimate space to the larger Factory Theatre – I needn’t have worried.

Devised by Verity with Ellie Showering and Dominie Hooper, whose performing role is taken this time round by Jannah Warlow, Mmm Hmmm demonstrates that the voice really is an instrument, one that is incredibly powerful with an amazing range. The trio use no special effects and no amplification; you hear them sing, you hear them beat the occasional rhythm with their hands, and you hear them breathe while frequently finding yourself holding your own breath.

You watch them too, when they aren’t performing in the dark. Every step, every hand gesture, every facial expression, perfectly choreographed, obviously well-rehearsed, faultlessly delivered; the simple yet very effective lighting design and costumes, by James Mackenzie and Harriet de Winton respectively complementing the performance.

Mmm Hmmm at Tobacco Factory in Bristol review

They sing about everyday things – varieties of tea (don’t, whatever you do, forget the Darjeeling); the Great Western Railway buffet car; buying one to get one free; and our daily need to remember our PINs – and include one cover, You Made Me Love You, sung, somewhat unusually, with an accompaniment of biscuit crumbs, alongside Verity’s original compositions. The show is very funny as well as musically clever.

I mentioned in my opening paragraph that Mmm Hmmm is short, just 45 minutes that passed in a flash. I could have watched…listened…all night, but also fully understand the need for brevity – if you haven’t previously thought of singing as a physical activity, you certainly will after watching this show. Basically, don’t let the length put you off, think quality not quantity.

Verity Standen already had a lot of fans in Bristol and will have gained many more in recent weeks due to her contribution to Tobacco Factory Theatres’ Christmas Show, The Light Princess. I therefore suspect that tickets for the final two performances of Mmm Hmmm, at 8pm tonight and tomorrow (22nd & 23rd January), will be difficult to get hold of – but do try because it really is something very special and once seen, never forgotten.

My heart wants to give Mmm Hmmm five stars but my head is telling me that it’s only January, so I’m giving it four but reserving the right to upgrade as the year goes on!

For further information visit www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Reviewed by Vivienne Kennedy for 365Bristol.com - The leading events and entertainment website for Bristol



Article by:

James Anderson

Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.