Review: Chewing Gum Dreams on NT Collections

The NT's latest virtual offering for education institutions comes in the form of National Theatre Collections, housing 50 filmed titles that are available online for the education sector globally. The platform has recently added 10 new titles, so I had a look at one of them – Michaela Coel's famous Chewing Gum Dreams.

With such acclaim that it sparked its own spin–off TV series, the production has certainly stood the test of time. The monologue is explosive, crass and humorous, while also touching on some delicate areas of youth, race and relationships. Without glamorising any element, the production depicts adolescence in the harsh light of day. The awkwardness of young sexual interactions, the power play of bullying, the impact of familial dynamics and a search for identity are huge elements that collide and clash throughout the production.

The central character, Tracy Gordon, is a gobby schoolgirl on the brink of becoming a woman. Her insults are creative but brash, and the audience meet her in full flow at the back of the school bus. Given the title, there is certainly a sense of impending doom throughout the production, as Gordon spins dreams out of thin air and blows them up like a chewing gum bubble, just waiting to be popped and destroyed.

This is a great example to show students what can be done with a minimal amount of set. With only one chair in the NT's black box venue, The Shed, the lighting and sound design are paramount when depicting a change in setting and location.

Due to it being a singular actor in the space, the performance is also extremely physical, with Coel playing the character of Tracy Gordon alongside several other characters that she interacts with. Coel's performance is extremely skilled; the differentiation between Gordon imitating another character, and her becoming another character, is so vastly clear. With the slightest change in expression Coel can become Tracy's quiet cousin Serafina who she bullies on the bus every day, or her best friend's abusive (and frankly terrifying) boyfriend.

While admittedly the recording is not high quality, it is impressive for a production filmed in 2014 prior to the boom of filmed theatre, and this is not something that impacts the viewing experience too greatly. This would be a brilliant watch for A Level students who need help with devising stimuli, when thinking about monologues or mastering multi–roling.

To sign up and for more information visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ntcollection