For their 16th evening of new writing, and their second time of slightly altering both their title and concept to make it an online event, London-based company Encompass Productions are passionate about presenting new pieces of theatre in their rawest and most exposed form. The plays they choose are passed by a panel before being given to professional directors and actors to interpret and produce. In each case, especially with the online versions - directed and performed in isolation - costuming, props and set are either extremely minimal or non-existent. As a further point to bear in mind is that these four short plays in this event were performed live and not prerecorded, and so another element of jeopardy was added... but no more or less than if it had been a live theatre performance.
Our host for the evening was Liam Fleming, one of the founding members of the company, and was most personable and enigmatic in his MCing.
The four short pieces of writing were actually quite varied and made a good mix for the evening. Starting with a bizarre and rather off-beat comedy "Every Seven Minutes" which told the story of an operator and a trainee in the 'Every 7 Minutes Room', executing happenings across the globe which will happen , yes, you've guessed it, every 7 minutes! Such things as making double rainbows appear, or people adopting stray dalmations. However, the humour and the theme soon turns quite dark as disasters and killings seem to also be a part of this man's responsibility. Somehow he manages to give himself a heart attack, but will they, between them be able to put a stop to this madness and God-playing?! Written by Ken Preuss and directed by Jonathan Woodhouse, the two jobsworths were Ryan Brannon and Cate Olivia. A great start to the evening.
Following this was another 2-hander called "Spread" by Robbie Knox. Again this used macabre humour to excellent effect, and told the story of siblings bickering over the inconsequential things after they are left to come up with the wording of the gravestone for their grandma's sister. There is a very nice chemistry / relationship built up between the two but for my money the ending was a little weak. Directed by Rachael Owens and Liam Fleming the two consummate performers were Gabrielle Macpherson and Robert Gallagher.
The penultimate short, "Spud" was the shortest of the three, and had the simplest but also most bizarre premise. Two anthropomorphised foil-wrapped baked potatoes are cooking nicely in the oven. Again a nice premise, but a better punchline with more jeopardy or comedy could have been found. Written by Robert Wallis, and directed by Rachael Owens, the two baking potatoes were Liz McMullen and Richard Coffey.
The final piece was in my opinion the piece-de-resistance. A beautifully writen and extremely tight script (Keith Gow) for this disturbing but illumiating monologue, "Like A House On Fire", performed with aplomb by Rachel Nott. (director Liam Fleming). It was a scarily real and well-researched insight into the whys and wherefores of a serial pyromaniac.
An interesting and enjoyable 50 minutes' worth of theatre... just about as real and as close as one is able to get under the current situation, and I look forward to being able to watch the next online offering which they have announced as being the 29th July. Tune in then and get your fringe / new writing theatre fix!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 24/6/20
No comments:
Post a Comment