Press
FRIDA: VIVA LA VIDA
Hillstreet Theatre, Edinburgh, August 2008 & National Tour 2008-09
”It’s A LONG TIME SINCE THEATRE CONNECTED with me this VISCERALLY and at so many levels. ….This performance will haunt you.” ***** The Scotsman
“This wildcat in white frills…is a passionate woman courageously painting an agonising reality.” **** Metro
“ONE TO WATCH!” The Stage
“Funny, heart-warming, MOVING AND POIGNANT.” London Theatre Guide
” For art and theatre lovers this is A MUST SEE” ***** Fringe Review
” A fizzing spectacular fireworK display, one that SHOOK UP ALL MY EMOTIONAL JUICES’” **** OnStage Scotland
HOW TO DIE IN A DOMESTIC ENVIRONMENT
By Nancy Walsh
Oxfringe - 1st to 4th April, 2009, Brighton Fringe Fstival - 8th to 10th May, 2009, Jacksons Lane Theatre London - 6th June, 2009
“Quirky and intriguing”
The Oxford Times (Angie Johnson)
“Verdict: Inventive, voyeuristic, unsettling, funny, OUTSTANDING. Sharp and engaging”
”It’s difficult to single out a performance - all are outstanding.”
”Nancy Walsh’s directing and script are SUPERB…….very funny, as is practically every line of the play.”
All from Fringe Report (Matthew Rose)
“Bold, ORIGINAL and deliciously dark”
Felix Barrett, Punchdrunk
“Sometimes uncomfortable to watch, often humorous and affecting, always engaging and watchable, this is a highly recommended, BRAVE and BOLD offering for the exciting new fusion of Mokita and Grit productions.”
Fringe Review
THE RECOGNITION OF SAKUNTALA
By Kalidasa, Translated by Will Johnson, Adapted by Tarek Iskander
The Union Theatre, January 21st - February 7th 2009
“This MASTERPIECE of early Indian drama…..Tarek Iskanders evocative adaptation…..beautifully realised……infused with psychological acuity and real feeling”
TIMEOUT - Critics Choice **** (Robert Shore)
“Grit and Community20 are to be applauded for their commitment to bringing to life an indisputable classic….Moore gives a spine-chilling performance as Durvasas….Gabriella Schmidt’s haunting voice, combined with Danyal Dhondy’s original music, is ELECTRIFYING…..the production achieves a worthy task of promoting a classic work of literature to a wider public…..Kalidasa’s GENIUS still shines”
Remotegoat *** (Leon Conrad)
“Tarek Iskander’s adaptation is full of beautiful and poetic language….Dominik Kracmar’s King Dusyanta was extremely watchable and he gave a lovely natural and clean delivery yet…All credit must go to Community20 and Grit for re-telling a story that should never be lost.”
Fringe Report ***
“There are MOMENTS OF MAGIC…Danyal Dhondy’s musical score is sensitive and subtle…Tarek Iskander’s production is ambitious and entertaining”
Extra Extra (Mags Gaisford)
“We must thank the producers for an opportunity to see a revered Indian classic……. an enterprise to be commended.”
British Theatre Guide (Howard Loxton)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A musical adaptation by Phil Willmott, Kings Head Theatre, Islington
10th December 2008 to 4th January, 2009
“What is captivating about this intimate show, besides the accomplished performances, is that it is at once comfortably familiar and yet REFRESHINGLY ORIGINAL, as though you were hearing Dickens’ story for the first time.”
Dominic Martin, The Stage
“This is UNASHAMEDLY FEEL-GOOD musical theatre, designed to kindle a warm, fuzzy feeling in its Christmas audience, and it does so to BRILLIANT effect. The outstanding cast of 18 switches seamlessly between characters, flowing on and off stage as scenes, with their set-piece songs, rattle along at an enthralling pace.”
Dominic Martin, The Stage
“….with the effective set, it creates a warm, busy atmosphere that is like stepping into the tableau of an oil painting, all warm colours, vibrant discourse, textured decor and atmosphere……demonstrating that with good direction and a creative team you can make good and VISUALLY STRIKING THEATRE without a monumental budget.”
Simon Dale, Remote Goat
“……a family friendly EXTRAVAGANZA. This was a blast from start to finish……A FANTASTIC show…..With a great venue, cast, set and scene progression this made for a festive night that anyone would enjoy.”
Adrian Pumphrey, The Public Reviews
“…..beautifully realised by the vibrant company and an excellent metaphor for today’s troubled world”
Barney Efthimiou, Parikiaki Press
“Joyous and fun…..full of atmosphere. PERFECT CHRISTMAS FARE. This is a show great for children and entertaining for grown ups.”
Aline Waites, WhatsOnStage
“Joe Fredericks as musical director has done a great job drilling the cast into Rebecca Applin’s beautifully arranged harmonies….as director he has created some memorable pictures.”
Aline Waites, WhatsOnStage
INVOLUTION
by Rachel Welch, Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh Festival
30th July to 25th August, 2008
“This is a THOROUGHLY ENGAGING piece of drama - an emotional thriller which draws us into a strange and fascinating landscape”
The Scotsman
“BLAZING A TRAIL for new writing at the Fringe, Mokita Productions perform a deliciously exciting but PROFOUNDLY MOVING portrayal of life in the London of the future… with stirring performances that leave the audience hanging on every word… The members of this young company have fire in their bellies and are a joy to witness.”
Three Weeks
“An original vision of the future on stage…..Rachel Welch’s Involution offers a depressingly plausible conjoining of two dystopian favourites”
The Guardian
“The theatre is meant to be making work such as this”
Broadway Baby
“Mokita Productions is a company with BIG IDEAS and the potential to realise them.”
Lucy Jackson, Fest Magazine
“Thoroughly engaging……a THOUGHT PROVOKING play”
Cecily Boys, British Theatre Guide
“Among the myriad of plays on the Fringe this year here is one well worth taking an hour out to go and see.”
ReviewsGate
BLOOD WEDDING by Lorca
& PETITE ROUGE a new family musical by Mike Artell
Associate Producers,The Scoop Theatre
July 30th - September 7th 2008
PICK OF THE WEEK: The Times, Sunday Telegraph, The Guardian, London Lite, The London Paper, The Evening Standard, Southwark News, Indie London, Metro
“GRITTIER THAN THE GLOBE. Cheaper and more atmospheric than the West End” Evening Standard
”Lorca’s tale of a marriage hurtling towards disaster is propelled into the here and now as if it is West Side Story remade for London today”
The Sunday Express
“Joe Fredericks’ intense mix of rhythmical and lyrical music intensifies the sense of impending doom.”
Camden New Journal
”FINE THEATRICAL MAGIC…..Phil Willmott’s sprightly production held it’s audience entirely captive ”
Metro
”AN INSPIRED CHOICE….The spirit of Lorca’s rugged, poetic work”
The Stage
Petite Rouge: “A musically ROUSING, twinkly-eyed show for the family”
Metro
”Outdoor theatre thrives on London’s South Bank….. It’s free, packed, and another sign of a theatrical boom”
The Observer
“A TREMENDOUS Experience”
Curtain Raising
“WHAT A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE…..A treat, highly recommended!” Remotegoat.com
PLUTO
by Jon Bonfiglio, Blue Elephant Theatre, Camberwell
28th May to 15th June, 2008
“The overall effect is INNOVATIVE and MOVING, thanks to a fine ensemble cast supported by enabling and intuitive direction. If any further proof were necessary that small-scale productions have big ideas and can make them work, ‘Pluto’ provides it.”
Peter Brown, London Theatre Guide
“Pluto rather poetically explores the blurring boundaries of emotion and science, of love and hate….”Matt Addis was endearing and charming as he delivered Jon Bonfiglio’s BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN TEXT”
Rachel Sheridan, British Theatre Guide
“Poetic, fluent and gently thought-provoking.”
Barbara Lewis, The Stage
“The presentation is excellent and the production well worth seeing.”
Michael Spring, Fringe Report
INVOLUTION
by Rachel Welch, Pacific Playhouse, Southwark
21st February to 15th March, 2008
“UTTER BRILLIANCE”
Andrew Haydon, Time Out
“Thought-provoking, touching and will hit all the right spots with theatre-goers and chins will be wagging with heavy ethical debate.”
Allan Taylor. Extra Extra
“Mokita are to be congratulated on a very fine show that holds the attention to the end. If this is a sign of future things to come from Mokita, they’re A GROUP TO WATCH.”
Paul Levy, Fringe Review
“A claustrophobic, CHALLENGING and, on occasion, very funny piece of work which will leave you thinking long after you’ve left the theatre.”
Dave Evans, Remote Goat
“If you want to see a well-written and thought-provoking evening, this is the play for you.”
David Phipps-Davis, Remote Goat
“Challenging and POWERFUL”
Michael Spring, Theatreworld Magazine
HUMAN REMAINS
by Jon Bonfiglio, The Canal Café Theatre
August 1st - 26th 2007
“It doesn’t fall into the trap of moral superiority… an interesting and intellectually stimulating hour and a quarter of theatre” Chloe Preece, London Theatre Guide
”A STRONG, POWERFUL PIECE of work with a poetic mood - a well crafted piece of writing” Paul Taylor, Samuel French Publishing
“RICH AND COMPELLING…Bonfiglio has created a twentieth century everyman….irresistible impetus, leaving the audience both shocked and wondering as the powerful denouement arrived” Simon Appleton, editor OC Magazine
“With Jon Bonfiglio’s penetrating and poetic Human Remains, GRIT proves they’re all about tackling INTRIGUING and EDGY subject matter in an ambitious and intelligent way” Frank J Avella, newyorkcool.com
“Human Remains is such a powerful and moving piece, that it would suggest new writing has found an exciting and innovative outlet in the shape of GRIT… CLEARLY A PRODUCTION HOUSE TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THE FUTURE” Chris Hawkins, BBC Radio
