REVIEWS

"A lot of intuitiveness is brought on by the fantastic voice work done by Sophia Eleni, Aava’s voice actress. The dialogue is undeniably great, but what truly took me by storm was how phenomenal the rest of the acting is."

 

Reviewed by Gonçalo Santos.

"Perfectly pitched down-to-earth voice acting."​

 

Reviewed by Nick Gillett.

"Sophia Eleni is a particular stand-out, giving a brilliantly upbeat and compassionate performance as Blair".

 

Reviewed by Phil Wheat.

"Our Own Private Love Island by Charlotte Jones takes the prize for the funniest play with Sophia Eleni on fire as the laddette, Princess Laodamia".

 

Reviewed by Paul Joyce.

"A funny, charming performance by Sophia Eleni that is ultimately heartbreaking."

 

Reviewed by Mark Ludmon.

"Eleni's Greek come Hackney teen has some modern moments of humour and MLE wit."

 

Reviewed by Emma Zadow.

"Sophia Eleni is a tour-de-force in this role; she pulls the audience in and keeps them captivated throughout the piece. We laugh when she laughs, and cry with her, too. Her portrayal of a young refugee woman is unflinching in its presentation of the difficult decisions people on this journey have to make, and the lasting impact these decisions have on her character’s mental health."

 

Reviewed by Emma Lamond.

"Eleni, who also works as sound designer on this production is a compelling performer. She seems to age before our eyes in this non-linear production."

 

Reviewed by Shanine Salmon.

"It’s a gripping story, filled with plenty of details. Eleni’s engaging manner, too, helped with character development."

 

Reviewed by Chris Omaweng.

"Sophia Eleni drives the story forward with her anguished ‘Meagan’ and for me is the performance of the film."

 

Reviewed by Chris Stagg.

"The voice performance by Sophia Eleni brings Aava to life, delivering a performance that finds the perfect fine line between sensitivity and determination."

 

Reviewed by Olly Smith.

"Cairn's beautifully naturalistic voice acting is a real boon."​

 

Reviewed by Matt Wales.

"The performances are riveting, especially Eleni’s unshakably optimistic Blair."

 

Reviewed by Stephanie Malone.

"The comedy in Sophia Eleni’s performance makes this one of the best stories of the bunch."

 

Reviewed by Richard Maguire.

"The rapid fire and rhythmic delivery of Sophia Eleni fits perfectly with the chaos and excitement of a teenager."

 

Reviewed by Jo Gudgeon.

"On Arriving" is held up by the full force of Eleni’s acting [...] She breathes life into all these characters  letting us care and grieve for them alongside her. Her performance is painful, the energy of it reaching even the furthest corners of the room.." 

 

Reviewed by Alexandra Wilbraham.

"Eleni is quite extraordinary in her ability to shift the mood with just a beat between scenes, one moment devastated and broken, afraid and desperate, the next gleeful and light as the audience is transported back to the hopeful pre-war era. There is considerable pathos in her characterisation which builds its extremes of experience as the story concludes – and notable too that Eleni has composed the music and sound design."

 

Reviewed by Maryam Philpott.

"Special praise goes to the play’s performer, Sophia Eleni, who does an exceptional job of conveying incredible tension while making the action so clear. Throughout, On Arriving is a huge achievement for Eleni, and surely an emotionally draining experience."

 

Reviewed by Edward Lukes.

"Sophia Eleni gives a passionate and devastating performance in "On Arriving."

 

Reviewed by Stephanie Ressort.

"A confident and compelling production".

 

Reviewed by Chris Omaweng.

"Cairn turns out to be a game about what it takes to be the kind of person Aava is – and the cost. I was floored by the ending, which had me crying on my sofa at one in the morning. There were many moments of beauty and terror during my ascent that left me quietly awestruck. That awe, in the end, was proportional to the hardship."

 

Reviewed by Keza MacDonald.

"Sophia Eleni in this movie has absolutely cemented my thoughts on this actress. She can go far, she can do whatever she wants, she has range and I want to see more of what she can do."

 

Reviewed by Kevin Haldon.

"Eleni is incredible as a modern Laodamia, her performance utterly captivating."

 

Reviewed by Flora Doble.

"My personal favourite, however, is "Our Private Love Island" by Charlotte Jones. Sophia Eleni’s Laodamia languishes in a messy girlish bedroom [...] and delivers a monologue both brilliant and hilarious."

 

Reviewed by Rosemary Waugh.

"Sophia Eleni is a delight as the skittish, anxiety-ridden teenage bride of Protesilaus."

 

Reviewed by Lyn Gardner.

"The focus is on Eleni’s expressive face and voice, multi-faceted, always intense even in laughter, unforgettable in juddering howls stifled in a foreign land, blankly taking the comfort and discomfort of strangers. Eleni’s hypnotic performance is as fiery as a struck match. Yet she’s classically contained – with just a few explosive rituals to expiate.

It’s not just Eleni’s presence that flares with the humanity cindered by our own cruelty. Her whole performance, these words, say you should be on fire too." 

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Reviewed by Simon Jenner.

"There is enormous pressure on Eleni to conjure up a range of emotions in quick succession, and she ably rises to the challenge, making this woman completely believable."

 

Reviewed by Louise Penn.

"Eleni brings complete focus and giving of herself in her performance."

 

Reviewed by Bethany Jane-Christian.

"Solo performer Sophia Eleni delivers each line with careful responsibility and her impassioned message about the hardships of war is both moving and compelling."

 

Reviewed by Olivia Rook.

"Sophia Eleni is excellent. Her appearance and her voice are one hundred percent Vivien Leigh. Sophia is a very fine actor who is confident and warm."

 

Reviewed by Graham Archer.