Review: Under the Influence (King’s Head Theatre)
Review by Angel Nield
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Carine and Frances Gilbert, aka The Gilbert Twins, shot to social media fame during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic through performing original comedy sketches together and amassing over 3 million followers. Fast forward six years and the Guildford School of Acting graduates have brought their brand new musical comedy Under the Influence to the unique London theatre space that is The King’s Head Theatre, having enjoyed huge success and acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe over the summer. The show explores the twins’ foray into couples therapy and results in one hour of hilarity and heart.
Directed by Georgie Rankcom, Under the Influence never feels as though anything is shoehorned in for the sake of it. Every punchline, expression and pause feels very natural and the show itself flows beautifully from start to finish. The comedic elements of sisterly chaos erupt without force and really emphasise the relatability of the production. Both my companion and I remarked upon leaving how much of this show we connected with, leaving a lasting impression on us long after the final beat.
Shona Maule serves as the highly comedic deadpan therapist Kate, who accompanies the twins’ musical outbursts on the keyboard whilst also attempting (and mostly failing) to reign the girls back in to focus the agenda at hand; a hilariously chaotic spiel about convincing her to take advantage of the power of social media is the prime example of this. Maule also wears several other hats as the lyricist, composer and MD of the production, and it's clear how well both her and the twins’ creative visions are aligned.
Every song serves a unique purpose to the plotline and, unlike the twins, stand uniquely apart from each other whilst being ridiculously catchy. The biggest highlight comes right at the end, with Frances’ emotive and beautifully honest performance of ‘Mirror and Shadow’, which provides a heartfelt emotional insight into the soul searching and personal discovery her character has been on up to this point to finally accepting that the girls’ individual and joint identities can exist in harmony and not in competition.
The intimate space of the King’s Head Theatre is simply dressed as a therapists office complete with a sofa, keyboard and two yellow microphone stands. Everything else is left purely to the imagination which works well paired with the bold, captivating performances throughout that are more than capable of holding our attention.
Carine and Frances are two powerhouse performers with an undeniable chemistry that translates perfectly to the stage, with powerhouse vocals and excellent comedic skills really elevating their performance to the next level. Nothing ever felt forced or contrived, and it's clear that whilst many of the events in the story may have been heightened for dramatic effect, there is a clear truth running throughout and it really feels as though we get to delve into the individuals behind the online personas. Amidst the chaos and the drama is a heartfelt and relatable story of identical twins with an unbreakable bond who are struggling to come to terms with what this means for their journey into independent adulthood.
A beautiful little gem of a show that will leave both diehard fans and newcomers thoroughly entertained, Under the Influence is funny, heartfelt and packed with infectious tunes, reminding us that even the relationships we think we know can still be full of surprise. Whether you have a twin, sibling, best friend or just that special someone in your life that knows you better than anyone, this production has something everyone can relate to and shows us that the power of connection is the perfect companion for the search for your own unique voice.
Under the Influence plays at the King’s Head Theatre until 26 September.
Tickets available at https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/under-the-influence-jzdy
Photos by Danny Kaan