Ell Potter and Mary Higgins are back with their bigger and better productions of Hotter and Fitter.
Potter and Higgins are equally hilarious, humanitarian and heroic. It is truly a treasure to watch two people on stage who have a very compassionate connection. Their candidness is heart-wrenching, their creativity excruciating. What they have done with these shows is tried to do what most of us only pretend to do; listen.
Firstly, Fitter.
Reviewing Fitter back in December 2019, before the world closed, I was stunned by the intensity and honesty of these two young creatives. With a long period of growth and reflection to separate today’s reboot from its origins, it is heart-warming to welcome them back to Soho, and beautiful to see that a year of crushing isolation can not stop insightful innovation.
Although much of the show remains the same; the verbatim voiceovers (frank and farcical as they are on their own) are impressively mimicked by Potter and Higgins to the point that you can completely get lost in their characterisation.
As men from ages 11-97 reveal their truths to Ell and Mary’s questions, the presentation is commodious, courteous and comical.
Laugh out loud hysterical and sob softly into your cardigan sincere. It is not to be missed.
Hotter, however, the mother of these projects, did feel the tiniest bit more refined. As the budget gets a boost and elements of set and tech change and evolve, there is room to improve in both shows but Hotter has the edge of confidence.
The choreography is slicker, the idea behind each segment feels cemented, and altogether more powerful.
Both shows follow a tried and tested structure and yet each has a shining gem, a moment that lets you remember why you love coming to the theatre and hearing other people’s stories.
I can not exaggerate enough that today’s generation needs more theatre like this. Where the concept of how our society came to be is not shoved down your throat but presented, questioningly in an opened-palm.
If you want the full story of these two powerful performers, both shows are a must.
It runs until 6 August.
Review: Vivienne King Photo: Holly Revell