Review: DARKIE ARMO GIRL, Finborough Theatre

The Finborough Theatre is a delightful oddity in West London - redefining the concept of a pub theatre by occupying a space above an Asian fusion restaurant. It’s a resilient little enterprise but if it wants to thrive and support the writing it develops and celebrates, it is maybe time to spread its wings and think about finding a new venue to do justice to the work it presents.

Its latest offering is playwright and performer Karine Bedrossian’s autobiographical Darkie Armo Girl, returning to the Finborough after an acclaimed run in 2022. This show leads the audience through an episodic account of Karine’s chequered life and career, from growing up in a violent home to flirting with pop stardom, modelling and a litany of troubled relationships on the way.

This show has been developed with the Finborough Theatre - which has in the past been praised as an engine room for new writing - but could probably stand a shade more development. Darkie Armo Girl more closely resembles a memoir than a play, its closest cousin the audiobook of Julia Fox’s autobiography. The script verges on shapeless, moving from scene to scene without much artful reflection. It’s a terrific yarn and Bedrossian is a fascinating woman - charismatic and funny and self-deprecating, she’s clearly lived a life - but this production is not much more than a string of anecdotes.

The marketing for this show leans heavily on the angle of Bedrossian’s Armenian heritage, although this hardly reveals itself in the script. Bedrossian skips over this element of her heritage and it barely factors as a thematic link or consideration for the remainder of the play, which makes the title and pitching of Darkie Armo Girl feel somewhat misleading.

Perhaps what limits this show from feeling like a substantial production is the lack of supporting design elements. Apart from snatches of Madonna, there is little music or sound to sew together the multiple timelines and snippets of Karine’s life. The lighting too makes a fleeting effort to differentiate between these different states but there is no consistent theme laid down. 

Nonetheless, this is a gripping story about a fascinating, bold, brave, troubled woman. Bundles of storytelling potential that just falls shy of the mark.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Livvy Perrett

Darkie Arno Girl plays at London’s Finborough Theatre until 7 Feb, with further info here:

https://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/productions/darkie-armo-girl-2

Photo credit: Stuart Ray