The Orange Tree Theatre, situated in the heart of Richmond, is currently showing the play ‘Losing Venice’ by Jo Clifford. The play was engagingly acted by a small and lively cast, but the second half seemed to lose focus.

This theatre in the round has a small acting space surrounded by rows of benches on all four sides. All seats have an excellent view of the stage, and the audience, particularly those sitting in the front row, feel very much part of the action. Outside the auditorium there is a cosy bar where you can pick up pre-ordered interval drinks and chat to friends in a relaxed environment. 

Overall the atmosphere and mood of the theatre was really enjoyable. Arguably intimate spaces can make for a much more entertaining and involving experience than watching a performance in the bigger and grand theatres of the West End.

I visited the Orange Tree on a Saturday to watch the evening performance of ‘Losing Venice’. It was a very fun play to watch with many characters involved, and some cast members even playing two different parts. The play is about the roles and limitations of men and women in testing times. It is set in 17thcentury Spain at a time when the empire was slowly declining and falling to pieces, with the Spanish people prompted to question their importance in the changing world. The sets were simplistic yet effective and the costumes were extremely colourful and detailed; I especially enjoyed it when some characters had to walk the plank! However the second half of the play lost its way and I found it quite difficult to understand. 

Donations and contributions from the local community are highly relied upon to help keep the theatre running and keep putting on great plays for the people of Richmond and beyond to enjoy. The Orange Tree needs to raise £450,000 every year just to keep running, with over 1000 local members helping to do so. Alex Jones, the Development and Communications Director at the Orange Tree says that “none of this would be possible without the support of the Orange Tree’s audiences.”