Powerful, stressful images that carry the audience emotionally... Revi knows how to use music, lighting and physicality to produce theatrical effect...
(BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE, London, 2011)
The movement and images have considerable emotional power...strong ritualistic elements which enhance the feeling... an elegantly contrived artwork- a totally atmospheric piece.
(BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE, London, 2010)
The artistic intelligence of Anastasia Revi is the proof of hard work and endless study that meet the timeless elements of this tragedy of Sophocles... The understanding and the concept of the director gave the chance to her great actors to dive into the ocean of a text that lives 2500 years... The atmospheric theatre of aesthetics and visuals that is the essence of her work is so present in this production.
(HELLENIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION, London, 2010)
The experimental London company Theatre Lab certainly had their work cut out... The ideas and dilemmas presented in this Sophocles tragedy are still as relevant to today's world as they ever were ... It is by no means easy-going stuff, but the sheer energy of the players grabs the audience from the off.
(FULHAM CHRONICLES, London, 2010)
Anyone looking for a macabre, visually irresistible, fantasy tale... a mood that is both whimsical and dark—...fans of Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) and Gabriel Garcia Marquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude) will no doubt love this surprising and enchanting production.
(****Time Out, New York , 2008)
Velvet Scratch is a rare treat: a piece of wildly experimental theatre that remains accessible and spellbinding to the last second… a stunningly visual story that has all the qualities of a dream: so free-flowing and unremitting that it all appears effortless…Velvet Scratch is a weird little gem.
(**** Skinny Fest, Edinburgh, 2007)
A DELICIOUSLY dark opening segment, complete with the crushing of strawberries, hints at the potential sensory delights of this piece, as three characters begin to tell the tale of their own death and demise… Theatre Lab does well to splash its innovation and colour on to a largely blank canvas as it ambles from one scenario to the next… some stand-out performances from a charming ensemble cast which plays well to its strengths throughout.
(**** The Scotsman, Edinburgh, 2007)
Don’t miss it! A truly remarkable piece of work.... Compelling narrative and highest production values.
(**** Nightnews, Edinburgh, 2007)
Imagine Tim Burton directing Gabriel García Márquez and you'll have some vague idea of the stylishness and inventiveness of Theatre Lab's Velvet Scratch. The level of invention is breathtaking, and the whole is bloody beautiful…Director/Concocter Anastasia Revi is a gourmet of images….The three performers expertly transform themselves into an entire cemetery of souls…Without a doubt, this is currently the piece I am telling everyone that they must go and see. This is exciting theatre. Rated number 1 in the Editor’s top ten shows of the Festival.
(Prague Post, 2007)
Oh, the smell of fresh strawberries…Ravens, bloody hearts, undead, the underworld. Edgar Allan Poe and Tim Burton seem to have paid a brief visit to the Theatre Lab in London…a quirky and macabre piece of simple storytelling…a local rogue’s gallery and their stories, played with imagination and visual flair…It’s worth it. (Prague TV, 2007)
If you decide to see Velvet Scratch, be prepared for one of the most astonishing performances. I am talking about a very dynamic play that combines physical theatre and audiovisual spectacle surpassing cultural boundaries, the typical and the taboo. A piece of work that is truly a poetic masterpiece in every level with a text that speaks to everyone’s heart. Don’t miss it!!!
(Go Culture, Athens, 2008)
Already the C.V.’S of the young actors and musician… forebode talent and intelligence, attributes that absolutely are reflected in this strange 70min devised play full of words, movement, music and pictures…The Gothic decay, the supernatural mystery and death, filter through malicious irony, romantic humour and self inflicted paradoxes (Tiger Lillis without the song, Poe without terror)… The (actors’) presences that work as a continuous part of the deserted landscape fill up the space with an overwhelming energy of real theatre and virtuosity.
(Eleftherotypia, Athens,2008)
I was lured into the dark, post-Goth universe of "Velvet Scratch", an incredible performance from London to Athens, at Hora Theatre. A theatrical poem about love and death…
(Big Fish, Athens, 2008)
Theatre Lab have a reputation for mesmerising imagery, an ambition marvellously realised in this dreamlike performance piece beautifully staged by Anastasia Revi …The three actors brilliantly create the impression of psychic survivors. … All three performances will remain etched on my memory.
(The Stage,London,2006)
An absolute gem by the justly acclaimed Theatre Lab Company… it’s a metaphysical tour-de force worthy of Samuel Beckett, but far more humane.
(Arts Bitching, London,2006)
Urban stories is many things...not in a conventional sense...personal details that we try to glimpse beneath... excellent ensemble cast... this clarity of performance brings the pieces of the plot to life beautifully... challenging, interesting, very rewarding play... (Camden News Journal, London, 2003)
Urban stories is an exciting and innovating theatre project.
(Sussex Life, UK, 2003)
Diverse and illuminating contemporary play with some big ideas.
(In2stage, UK, 2003)
Blurring the boundaries of contemporary performance with media based art, urban stories is a snapshot of life in a fictional city.
(Metro, Birmingham, UK, 2003)
An innovative production full of images, sounds, senses, life experiences in a metropolitan city... a surreal picture of the 21st century... a dynamic process that communicates with the audience on a very deep level... inspirational direction. (Eleftherotipia, Athens, 2003)
The style of storytelling gets the upper hand...strong cast... tantalisingly good ideas.
(Time Out, London, 2003)
