one4review | On 07, Aug 2024

This show has a refreshingly original framing; ostensibly it’s an examination of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon – the one who built the hanging gardens. Just under the surface it’s also got topical satire and modern social commentary. It’s a bit like when pantomimes take pot shots at politicians: the show is good fun and tells the story well, but we all understand the allusions and analogies, and appreciate the skewering.

Ms Farah delivers the show well, with a seamless and logical slide from hello to introductions to why the show to the show. Ms Farah, and her audio incarnation, plays all of the characters, and her embodiment of them makes them really vivid, with hats for each if we needed any help with identifying them. Ms Farah has built roles that display her talents brilliantly, giving her space to be playful and have fun.

Ms Farrah also plays a bit with the fourth wall on the play-within-a-show, and pulls back the curtain at various points, bringing the audience in and letting us in on some backstage gossip. It’s a nice device to play with and pulls the audience in a bit more. There’s also a bit of audience interaction in this show but Ms Farah is friendly and nice, so nothing to worry about! Overall, this show is a great package.

Reviewed by Laura

Assembly George Square (Studio 5)
15:10
Until 25th (not 12, 19 or 20).