Review: Valchera’s at the Cockpit Theatre, London

Stories of emigration, friendship and individuality can make for beautiful theatre plays and although Valchera’s stands out by its ambitious take on the genre it fails to rise to the challenge of its own complexities.

Commissioned by the Unione Ticinese, one of London’s oldest Swiss associations celebrating its 150th anniversary, Valchera’s was written by Lea Ferrari and largely inspired by her family’s history of emigration from Ticino in the Swiss Alps to Paris. It tells the story of a friendship between Tina, a young and determined London restaurateur of Swiss-Italian heritage and Iride, a Swiss-Italian waitress emigrant freshly arrived in London. We are on the cusp of the first world war and both women are trying to make their way in the world, exploring themes of female individuality, passion and freedom.

 What makes for a strong concept is unfortunately lost partly through the weaves of the story, constantly jumping back and forth in time and using different stratagems to convey its reach. An array of interactions with the audience is used, which is quite appreciable but becomes slightly overbearing when it confuses our understanding of who is speaking to whom. Similarly, the use of multimedia and the mix of languages used is an admirable concept that slightly loses its power towards the end of the play. 

The play is set in Valchera’s, the Richmond-based Swiss restaurant that used to be the second port of arrival of many Swiss immigrants in London. The use of the thrust staging and diverse range of restaurant-related props work quite beautifully to create a scenic atmosphere which the brilliant acting from both Nabila Dolfini and Martina Greenwood elevates. We may be lost at points, but Dolfini’s poise and Greenwood’s truculent energy meet in a superb collaboration that does female friendship tropes an honour.

Featured Image: Provided by Valchera Production Team