Art of this piece is in the telling
By BARRY GORDON
Restitution
Rocket Venues, Roxy Art House
IT'S 3.45pm in the afternoon inside a very, very small room. There's an audience of four and the lack of light makes the cramped conditions feel even more claustrophobic. The story is of a missing painting, stolen by Nazis during WW2. It is performed by two little-known actors. An hour later, two women in the audience are openly weeping, following a compelling performance. Starring Peter Tilly as Robert and Emily Juniper as Berta, Restitution begins with Robert staring at his grandmother's stolen painting in a small German art gallery. Gallery assistant Berta is the only person who can shine a light on who now owns it. But will Robert get it back? A delightful piece where moral questions about art are subtly raised, Restitution's success lies not in its subject matter but in its actors.
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Telegraph Review 'Mesmerising'
Mark Monahan
"At the opposite end of most Scales is Emily juniper's gripping little two hander. Here, a Jewish man (Peter Tilly), on a quest to find a painting looted by the Nazis from his grandparents, enters a German gallery and spots it on the wall.
He is overjoyed, but the pretty gallery assistant (Juniper) is reluctant to part with it, for reasons she soon reveals.
The piece evolves into both a serious-minded debate on the nature of art and a subtly charged tableau of two people suddenly being drawn to each other. If the climax only partly rings true, the candlelit monologues that explore the inner life of the painting itself are brave and rather mesmerising.
And, although it all feels temporally and thematically cramped at an hour in length (an extra 15 minutes would have let the whole thing breathe more easily), this is ambitious writing, lovingly played, and well suited to the sympathetic intimacy of the Roxy Art House."
"At the opposite end of most Scales is Emily juniper's gripping little two hander. Here, a Jewish man (Peter Tilly), on a quest to find a painting looted by the Nazis from his grandparents, enters a German gallery and spots it on the wall.
He is overjoyed, but the pretty gallery assistant (Juniper) is reluctant to part with it, for reasons she soon reveals.
The piece evolves into both a serious-minded debate on the nature of art and a subtly charged tableau of two people suddenly being drawn to each other. If the climax only partly rings true, the candlelit monologues that explore the inner life of the painting itself are brave and rather mesmerising.
And, although it all feels temporally and thematically cramped at an hour in length (an extra 15 minutes would have let the whole thing breathe more easily), this is ambitious writing, lovingly played, and well suited to the sympathetic intimacy of the Roxy Art House."
Restitution gets London Run!!!
Great News! We have been very kindly offered a slot at the wonderful Theatre 503. So anyone who didn't get a chance to see Restitution in Edinburgh can come and see it in London! We'll be doing a week run from the 15th of September. Be wonderful to see people there!
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Sunday, 10 August 2008
View From the Stalls Review!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
"Restitution" - Edinburgh Fringe 2008
This is why we go to the Fringe.This two handed play written by Emily Juniper which she performs along with Peter Tilly is quite simply a beautiful piece of theatre. Tilly is Robert who is continuing his late mother's quest to locate a painting that was stolen from her family by the Nazis. And now he's found it... loaned to the gallery in which Berta works; and 'owned' by her mother.Robert passionately makes his case to Berta of what finding the painting means to him but it becomes clear that they have different ideas as to how the problem should be resolved. Both Juniper and Tilly give wonderfully charged performances - Juniper's candlelit descriptions of the painting are enchanting.Restitution runs at Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House at 3.45p.m. until 25 August.
Posted by Statler at 11:54 AM
"Restitution" - Edinburgh Fringe 2008
This is why we go to the Fringe.This two handed play written by Emily Juniper which she performs along with Peter Tilly is quite simply a beautiful piece of theatre. Tilly is Robert who is continuing his late mother's quest to locate a painting that was stolen from her family by the Nazis. And now he's found it... loaned to the gallery in which Berta works; and 'owned' by her mother.Robert passionately makes his case to Berta of what finding the painting means to him but it becomes clear that they have different ideas as to how the problem should be resolved. Both Juniper and Tilly give wonderfully charged performances - Juniper's candlelit descriptions of the painting are enchanting.Restitution runs at Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House at 3.45p.m. until 25 August.
Posted by Statler at 11:54 AM
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
5 Star Review!!!
5 Star Review from Fresh Air Radio
REVIEW - RestitutionMonday, August 4th, 2008
Monday 4th August 2008Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House
‘A painting shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of its history’ – this is one of the messages given out in this intriguing new play by Emily Juniper (starring Emily Juniper and Peter Tilley), as two characters debate the moral issues of Art. Robert has finally found the source of his life’s desires, as he discovers a painting stolen from his family by the Nazis hanging in a small German art gallery. Trying to persuade the gallery assistant (Berta) to part with the painting, Robert and Berta unravel ideas such as, should art commemorate or communicate? Who has the right to control art? Can art be owned, and should it be owned? (Do paintings own themselves?) What does the world owe a bereft Jewish family? Can the restoration of a priceless painting heal 70 years of pain? And is there peace in possession?
It is a sign of fantastic acting when you stop noticing that the actors are, in fact, acting, and the cast managed this admirably. The play is also beautifully scripted, the highlight for me being the magically told tale of the story in the painting itself. The use of music is also very effective, giving a haunting atmosphere. In fact, the music is so soothing, the seats so soft and cushioned, and the low lighting so soporific, you must be sure to keep alert for fear of missing the seamless dialogue! A thoroughly enjoyable piece, this show is a must-see for all those interested in serious theatre.
Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008
*****
Review by: Charlotte Hathaway
Posted in Festival 2008 - Reviews, Festival Coverage 2008 Comments Off
REVIEW - RestitutionMonday, August 4th, 2008
Monday 4th August 2008Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House
‘A painting shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of its history’ – this is one of the messages given out in this intriguing new play by Emily Juniper (starring Emily Juniper and Peter Tilley), as two characters debate the moral issues of Art. Robert has finally found the source of his life’s desires, as he discovers a painting stolen from his family by the Nazis hanging in a small German art gallery. Trying to persuade the gallery assistant (Berta) to part with the painting, Robert and Berta unravel ideas such as, should art commemorate or communicate? Who has the right to control art? Can art be owned, and should it be owned? (Do paintings own themselves?) What does the world owe a bereft Jewish family? Can the restoration of a priceless painting heal 70 years of pain? And is there peace in possession?
It is a sign of fantastic acting when you stop noticing that the actors are, in fact, acting, and the cast managed this admirably. The play is also beautifully scripted, the highlight for me being the magically told tale of the story in the painting itself. The use of music is also very effective, giving a haunting atmosphere. In fact, the music is so soothing, the seats so soft and cushioned, and the low lighting so soporific, you must be sure to keep alert for fear of missing the seamless dialogue! A thoroughly enjoyable piece, this show is a must-see for all those interested in serious theatre.
Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008
*****
Review by: Charlotte Hathaway
Posted in Festival 2008 - Reviews, Festival Coverage 2008 Comments Off
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