REVIEW: Face Value @ The Hackney Empire

THIS one-woman show tells the story of Joanne Taylor, a fictional washed-up TV presenter fast approaching her 55th birthday, and her sell-by date, writes Tom Calverley.

Her once good looks are now a rapidly decreasing currency, and she’s under increasing pressure to take surgical steps to save them.

Onetime Eastender and Doctor Who sidekick Louise Jameson draws on firsthand experience of the tendency to sideline older actresses. She plays Joanne as a sympathetic and genuinely likeable heroine, bringing to life a cast of characters who snipe at the wilting celeb for daring to age.

These include an eternally young-looking rival, a bitchy agent and an old lover, back to resume his self-esteem destroying ways.

There are clear signposts throughout to the media’s negative influence, most obviously in the televisions across the stage whose witty images tie in with the plot.

It’s not subtle, and the play ultimately sidesteps the chance to get under the skin of the nasty concept of cosmetic surgery.

Despite this, it’s still a good laugh, in a ‘Grumpy Old Women’ sort-of way, and sure to entertain any woman, especially those of a certain age, who has felt pressured to keep up appearances.

Face Value runs at the Hackney Empire until March 17.

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