The first time Arden Theatre School's first year students on the Theatre And Performance course have trod the boards in a public performance at the school's own Waterside Theatre, and they do so taking inspiration from and satirising one of theatre's most famous and celebrated works, the world's longest running play, Agatha Christie's, The Mousetrap.
It isn't the first time theatre pieces have based themselves around other, more famous works, or indeed, deconstructed them. It also isn't the first time I have seen this style of contemporary performance take famous literature and turn it on its head; in fact it is almost de rigeur; and so, in order for something to stand out, it now has to be really exceptional.
This presentational semi-deconstructional madness was directed by course tutor Graham Hicks, with, what can only be described as hallucinogenic flair. Hicks basically threw everything into the mix with this piece... a rear screen live video stream, haze, crazy lighting, up-tempo contemporary pop songs, funky choreography, breaking the fourth wall, solo / group / ensemble work as well as all the techniques necessary for such a performance style (deliberately getting things wrong, coming out of character, nervousness at seeing the audience, conflict, faux emotion, microphones, etc etc); however Hick's directorial masterstroke was the use of small square pieces of material which were used inventively and creatively throughout and made a superb final picture as they were flung in the air.
It did not matter whether or not you had any previous knowledge of The Mousetrap - and to give the reader some idea of the tone of this play; the audience were 'treated' to one of the students playing 'Three Blind Mice' on a keyboard as we entered the auditorium. The student was obviously a proficient pianist but was deliberately and continually playing wrong notes and becoming more and more frustrated that she couldn't get it right. Eventually playing the whole tune correctly but unable to find the final perfect cadence, standing and taking her bow anyway! It was almost a microcosm of what we were about to watch on stage.
With well-placed humour, and a good steady, (not too quick) pace kept throughout, with changing moods keeping audience interest, the 22 students engaged the audience for about 80 minutes without a break, with a deal of talent, energy, enthusiasm and a good understanding of their chosen theatrical genre, showing strong ensemble technique and individual flair.
Contemporary performance pieces I think will always seem a little like classroom exercises for me. Not having encountered this classificiation of theatre until very late on in my theatrical life, and I still have difficulty actually 'liking' such pieces despite my understanding of the form widening with every piece I watch. I didn't like all of this production, but I did understand all, and liked some! Moreover, even sitting on the back row of the theatre I heard every single word clearly and precisely in the unamplified sections, which seriously made my day! Hearty congratulations!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 17/1/20
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