4 STARS
Experience drama with a delicious twist this week by seeing ‘40%’ as part of Nottingham New Theatre’s Fringe Season. Not only is Nikki Hill’s play funny, engaging and relatable, its location really makes it a play you wouldn’t want to miss. Located at Lee Rosy’s Tea, the cramped yet cosy environment ups the ante of the play and makes it a particularly alternative and autumnal night out.
Firstly, the play is seriously amusing. Based around the completion of a group project, five young Nottingham students provoke, question and finally understand each other during the course of the play. The script is sharp, witty and very Nottingham based, it includes various references that are unique to our uni, for example at one point going to Ocean is referred to as ‘taking a dip’, a comment that caused the small tea shop to echo with laughter because every student, even those who don’t like clubbing, has experienced Ocean at some point.
The performances were also very impressive. In such an enclosed environment it would have been easy to become distracted as the actors were essentially weaving in and out of the audience, taking seats at tables beside them. The amount of witty dialogue could have also been an issue, yet fortunately the actors’ delivery and timing were all spot on, each of the performers bringing something diverse to the play.
The play did also present a deeper meaning that myself, and I feel everyone around me, could understand. Coming from Sixth Forms where there’s so much pressure to achieve top grades, first year can be tricky and many of us forget that IT DOES NOT COUNT. Essentially, this is the moral to be taken from this play: it’s only ‘40%’. Don’t spend too much time doing things that don’t matter, make friends, join societies and develop as a person.
Hill’s play achieved this moral wonderfully and overall it was a very satisfying play in a lovely and welcoming environment. I would highly recommend grabbing a much sort-after ticket and a hot chocolate when you arrive (particularly one of the Belgium White variety).
Edited by Harriet Dunlea
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