We've had comedies in which Austen heroines and Disney princesses are transported to the current day, so why not one where a four-million-year-old woman from Africa pitches up in Yorkshire on New Year’s Eve? Such is the premise of this slight yet genial early work from Bryony Lavery, restaged now as part of the Darwin anniversary celebrations.
Snuggled up in her cosy living room, which nifty design from Victoria Johnstone surrounds with an outer track of sand, Molly (Marjorie Yates), a wryly jolly lady of a certain age, reminisces about an archaeological dig at the Olduvai Gorge in Tanganyika. She intended to find a suitable husband, but instead unearthed a body, which promptly stood up. And lo, the newly named Victoria (Clare-Hope Ashitey) arises from a pit hidden under the lounge rug.
There’s fun to be had in Tom Littler’s smart production watching Victoria’s growing grasp of language and acquisition of "civilised" ways. She eventually puts Molly right on a thing or two — it was women, not men, who sourced fire from the volcano — but Lavery’s central thrust is that the four million years separating Victoria and Molly haven’t been good to the fairer sex.
Despite two lovely performances, including an impressive stage debut from Ashitey (previously so fine in the film Children of Men), it’s hard not to wish that Lavery had allowed her script to evolve a little more, either in the direction of heightened comedy or philosophical reflection.
Until 21 November (020 7503 1646, www.arcolatheatre.com).
Origin Of The Species
Arcola Theatre
Arcola Street, E8 2DJ
