A raw dissection of the experience of young women in prison . . . a passionate argument for the humanising and redemptive power of art
Daily Telegraph
In conveying the fundamental isolation of a life lived on the inside . . . Hopelessly Devoted is very good.
Time Out London
The result is an ingenious whole that's funny and true about growing up, getting wasted and – as they gather round a tree planted to remember their friend – wasting life . . . The movement between rap and drama is fluid rather than jolting . . . Tempest's writing oscillates between dynamic poetry that's full of vividly phrased acute observation and dialogue that's plainer but just as spot-on. An ingenious whole that's funny and true...dynamic poetry that's full of vividly phrased acute observation . . . spot-on.
Guardian - on 'Wasted'
As Ms. Tempest’s gorgeous streams of words flow out, they conjure a story so vivid it’s as if you had a state-of-the-art Blu-ray player stuffed into your brain, projecting image after image that sears itself into your consciousness. Both as writer and performer, Ms. Tempest stitches together words with such animate grace that language acquires an almost tactile quality.
New York Times - on 'Brand New Ancients'