THEATRE REVIEW: A Caravan Named Desire - Rotunda Squeak, Buxton.

There is a lot of theatre out there... hundreds and thousands of plays, some performed more often than others, some consigned to the library shelves never to be opened again; so when a play comes along that is original, different, and stands out from the crowd, it is a real joy; and this piece of original writing from Split Infinitive Theatre is just that.

At first you think that perhaps the title of the play, 'A Caravan Named Desire', might be a Mickey-take on a more famous and similarly named Tennessee Williams masterpiece, but you'd be wrong. Instead we are in sex territory, as told in a play-within-a-play documentary style. (yes, part documentary, and part theatrical re-enactment, all wrapped up in a blanket of play!). Our protagonist (call him either Alexander or Gary - without a programme I do not know his real name!), is interested in sex, not in a pervy way.. but in a David Attenborough sort of way, and so he visits a prostitute who does her business out of a caravan. We shall call her Helen / Crystal / Charlotte / or indeed the wife of the protagonist?! 

In this two-hander, we are quickly ensconced into their world, we follow them with ease and eagerness, and, because this is a rather quirky production, we also allow ourselves to be a part of the production too with some clever interaction. Our participation in the play is not forced, and the two performers are experts at working audiences. It all feels very organic and natural, and we play along. 

There is drama, pathos, heaps of comedy and bonhomie within this one hour script, and we can all recognise a little part of ourselves in either one or the other of these characters, as they candidly speak of sex and desire, we can their marital bonds being tested to the limit. 

There was a little noise from the next-door venue causing disturbance this late afternoon, and sometimes the sound used in this play was a little overpowering too for the size of the tent. Whilst the end sequence, a 'dance', seemed extraneous and unnecessary. However, our two performers were excellent, engaging, and hugely sympathetic and real. This off-beat play, and the way in which it was presented was, perhaps not unique, but a rare bird indeed, and this is certainly a fringe highlight, and deserves to be put on everyone's 'Must-see' list.

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 23.7.23