Review: 81 (Life), at Almeida Theatre
Second part of The Islington Trilogy celebrates the power of connection, moving on, and letting go
Friday, 29th August — By Lucy Popescu
The circle of life – 81 (Life) [Mark Dawson Photography]
ON an August evening in Highbury Fields, 60 strangers gather, unsure why they’re there or who has invited them. What unfolds is an exuberant immersive exploration of the transformative moments that shape our lives.
Following on from 24 (Day), performed in 2023, this second part of The Islington Trilogy is the result of a year-long community project, involving over 60 participants from All Change, Cardboard Citizens and Islington Community Group. I had the pleasure of catching the show during its three-day run at the Almeida over the bank holiday weekend.
Co-created by Rhianna Ilube with associate artists Darragh O’Leary, Francesca Beard, Ella Zgorska, Jordana Golbourn, and creative directors Dani Parr and Stephanie Bain, 81 (Life) celebrates the power of connection, moving on, and letting go.
We accompany several characters on their rites of passage as they confront turning points, sliding doors and challenging questions – from leaving home and ending a relationship to the relatively simple act of choosing what to have for lunch.
For anyone who has faced difficult decisions, it’s easy to relate to the dilemmas of the participants – a diverse group with various backgrounds and languages – each carrying their own lessons and stories to share.
The show takes its title from the average life expectancy in the borough and blends poetry, game show and theatre with original music by Alev Lenz. The game show format (The Right Choice) is the most successful, thanks to its visual humour and the clear audibility of the participants.
Other exchanges, however, are harder to hear, and certain scenes would have benefitted from the use of microphones. Still, it’s hard not to be swept up by the sincerity of the cast and the collective experience. The result is heartfelt and uplifting theatre.
