Rewiews
FAIRVIEW
★★★★★ 5/5
This play will be discussed for years to come
Evening Standard
★★★★★ 5/5
A stunning production of an extraordinary play
The Stage
★★★★★ 5/5
Without question the play of the year
The Upcoming
★★★★★ 4/5
A fantastically original and probing piece of theatre
Time Out
★★★★★ 4/5
Nadia LAtif's roaringly funny, expertly acted production
Metro
★★★★★ 4/5
such a blistering, challenging sensation
WhatsOnStage
BANG BANG BANG
excellent Julie Dray
The Independent, Paul Taylor
Max Stafford-Clark’s production for Out Of Joint is brisk and direct, allowing all these issues and perspectives to tumble over one another, and Orla Fitzgerald and Julie Dray as Sadhbh and Mathilde give sensitive readings that elicit our sympathy without appearing to demand it
The financial Time, Ian Shuttle Worth
There's a brilliant, booze soaked party scene, in which young Mathilde (Julie Dray) and photographer Vin (Jack Farthing) bond over their humanitarian hopes. Wasted and splayed out on the floor, Dray's feisty but hopelessly naïve Julie drawls, 'Conflict is amaaaazing.' It's a funny but moving little scene, reminding us that although people might enter NGOs for the right reasons, they are often horribly ignorant of the sacrifices required.
Sketches on theatre
For all its seriousness, the play is driven by some cracking dialogue between its cast of characters, ranging from Mathilde, the rookie; to Sadhbh's lover Stephen, a relief worker-turned-consultant who has lost faith in the aid system; Ronan, the hardened foreign correspondent trying to drink less; and Vin, a freelance photographer and archetype for one of the hordes of thrusting young men who turn up in Africa, hoping to make their names and careers.
There are lots of funny, well-observed gems, many of them fired off in a scene set at a house party in Goma where Sadhbh and Mathilde are spending their R&R. (If you want an idea of what expat aid worker parties are like, this blog paints a good picture)
br> When Vin tells Ronan he wants to go to Masisi, the journalist advises him that his best bet is to bed one of the aid workers -- because they have the security and the contacts. Bumping into the pretty Mathilde, Ronan asks whether she's a mercenary, missionary or misfit. When she tells him her job, he mutters: "Just what the Congo needs, another mental female with a big heart.”
If any of you London-based aid workers or journalists are getting cabin fever and yearning for some “Bang Bang Bang”, you can catch the play at theRoyal Court from Oct 11 to Nov 5.
There are lots of funny, well-observed gems, many of them fired off in a scene set at a house party in Goma where Sadhbh and Mathilde are spending their R&R. (If you want an idea of what expat aid worker parties are like, this blog paints a good picture)
br> When Vin tells Ronan he wants to go to Masisi, the journalist advises him that his best bet is to bed one of the aid workers -- because they have the security and the contacts. Bumping into the pretty Mathilde, Ronan asks whether she's a mercenary, missionary or misfit. When she tells him her job, he mutters: "Just what the Congo needs, another mental female with a big heart.”
If any of you London-based aid workers or journalists are getting cabin fever and yearning for some “Bang Bang Bang”, you can catch the play at theRoyal Court from Oct 11 to Nov 5.
Alertnet
★★★★★ 4/5
The cast is excellent, from Julie Dray's idealistic intern to Paul Hickey's cynical journalist
Time out
★★★★★ 4/5
Sobbing in her arms in that opening scene is Mathilde, played by the beguiling Julie Dray, whose bright-eyed idealism is chipped away by a series of increasingly harrowing experiences.
Exeunt
★★★★★ 4/5
Max Stafford-Clark’s production for Out Of Joint is brisk and direct and Orla Fitzgerald and Julie Dray as Sadhbh and Mathilde give sensitive readings that elicit our sympathy without appearing to demand it
The financial Times
Julie Dray sparkles as the naive, idealistic Mathilde.
Londonist
Bang Bang Bang opened at the Royal Court this week. Though witty (Medecins Sans Frontières is nicknamed "nurses without knickers"), Stella Feehily's new play isn't cheery: it follows humanitarian workers on a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Julie Dray is particularly impressive as idealistic young Mathilde who accompanies the more seasoned and worldly Sadhbh.
The evening standard
Dray’s vibrant and sexy Mathilde brings both life and idealism to a terrifying place.
What s on stage
Max Stafford-Clark's production has a jazzy momentum and wisely uses captions to pinpoint the play's shifting locales. There is lively support from Julie Dray as Saadbh s naive sidekick.
Michael Billington, the Guardian
OUT Of Joint's latest production at the Octagon certainly starts with a bang - a harrowing experience that gets the adrenaline levels rocketing and the audience well and truly paying attention.
There are moments in the play that are truly shocking, but there are also some of intense poignancy and intimacy.
Julie Dray, is frenetic as the naive, well-meaning and highly strung intern Mathilde.
Bolton news
Julie Dray as Mathilde gets the balance just right between a young idealist prepared to be reckless in pursuit of an ideal and a young girl who wants to have a good time.
British theatre guide
