REVIEW: THE FULL ENGLISH at Barons Court Theatre 16-20 September
“a celebration of the peculiarities, contradictions and sheer vitality of the English language” ★★★★
Melanie Branton’s THE FULL ENGLISH is a witty and engaging one-woman show that takes audiences on a lively journey through the history of the English language. Part history lesson, part poetry performance, and part playful experiment. Armed with an assortment of props, quick wit, and a warm, approachable presence, Branton guides us through the sprawling history of the English language. From etymology to double negatives, from the Norman Conquest to Caxton’s printing press, from the linguistic legacies of colonialism to the chaotic slang of the internet age, she maps out a story as messy, diverse, and colourful as English itself.
A former English lecturer turned performance poet, Branton is active on the UK poetry scene, has published work in journals and anthologies, and on her own blog where she shares “fun facts” about language and posts in forms as various as triolets and children’s verse. Her blend of scholarship, playfulness, and engagement with both children’s and adult audiences gives her a uniquely versatile voice.
THE FULL ENGLISH blends poems, props, games, and audience participation, but what anchors the evening is Branton herself: an articulate, charismatic and deeply knowledgeable guide. Branton cultivates an atmosphere where even the shyest audience member feels safe to join in. She balances erudition with accessibility, delivering nuggets of linguistic trivia in a way that is inclusive and illuminating. Part of her endearment is the pure delight and enthusiasm she has for her subject - whether Branton’s explaining the quirks of the great vowel change or the haphazard beginnings of grammar, her enthusiasm is infectious.
Branton’s genuine love of language is most evident when she sets aside the gimmicks and simply explains the winding histories of words. Her explanations are clear, witty, and grounded in a deep knowledge of her subject. In these moments, the performance achieves its greatest clarity and charm: a celebration of the peculiarities, contradictions and sheer vitality of the English language. Her poems provide a lyrical thread and her explanations resonate, offering fresh insights into something we all use every day yet rarely stop to examine.
The intimate space of Barons Court Theatre proves an ideal venue - its close quarters turn the performance into a conversation, making the audience co-conspirators in Branton’s linguistic treasure hunt rather than passive spectators.
I left THE FULL ENGLISH entertained and enriched, armed with a host of new facts and a renewed appreciation for the glorious, chaotic mongrel tongue we call English. This is a show for anyone who has ever wondered why words mean what they mean - or who simply delight in them.
Photo: Lidia Crisafulli
Box Office: https://www.baronscourttheatre.com/fullenglish
