Catherine Bennett resumes the weekly look at the performing arts world, with the sad end of Jerusalem, the luck of a cabbie, and French revolt. Do you hear the people sing?
Adam Alcock reviews Nigel Kennedy playing Vivaldi's Four Seasons and his own Four Elements at York Opera House.
Catherine Bennett highlights the trends in the performing arts world today.
Jonathan Cridford reviews 'Ghosts', one of the Freshers' plays for this year.
Director Elizabeth Sands and her team made a brave choice in Anthony Neilson's rather wacky The Wonderful World of Dissocia. However, it was a daring decision that paid off. Right from the start it was clear that this was going to be an extraordinary theatrical experience.
The Drama Barn had a strange and mysterious aura: I clambered my way through a haze of smoke to set myself in front of stage which was in complete darkness, save for the light of a single lamp. This heightened the audience's confusion when sudden banging noises and shouting had us looking all over for the source of this commotion. The opening exchange then developed into a rather farcical, uncomfortable scene as we discover that Lisa Jones has lost an hour of her life. This hour is of great importance and lies waiting for her in the magical land of Dissocia.
As Lisa journeyed to Dissocia, she was shadowed by a clever use of lighting, which culminated in an explosion of vivid colours. We had clearly arrived in Dissocia: a fantasy land, starkly different from reality. The acting here was strong and effective; the actors all worked together in their portrayal of the inhabitants of this strange land, adopting a similar style to create a sense of a unified society. This was significant as it underlined Lisa’s standing as the isolated outsider, blown away by all that this wonderful world hurls at her.
The acting here was strong and effective; the actors all worked together in their portrayal of the inhabitants of this strange land, adopting a similar style to create a sense of a unified society
There were some brilliant moments of comedy throughout. For instance, Dominic Allen and Marcus Emmerton’s portrayals of the ‘insecurity guards’. Their response when questioned about their title, 'If something is secure then why protect it?', was a particular highlight. These guards were overtly nervous wrecks through whom the characteristics of airport security were lampooned. Their question to Lisa, 'Have you left your hair unattended at any point?', exemplified this.
There was a discord between the fairytale setting and the language. There was much swearing and coarse sexual references, particularly from the vulgar and foul-mouthed ‘scapegoat’. This only heightened the comedy, as such language seemed at a glaring cross variance to this fantasy kingdom.
Although this magical world would have looked amazing in a large theatre, with expensive and elaborate sets, the simplicity of this production allowed the audience to feel close to the action. We felt like we were with Lisa in Dissocia, a very different outcome than if we were spectators observing it from 1800 seats back at the Leeds Grand.
The second half was utterly different from the first. Lisa wakes up in a mental institute in which she is cared for by flat, emotionless Doctors. The bland set and harsh lighting contrasted sharply with the fun world we had previously come to love. Lisa had longed to return home throughout her time in Dissocia, but the message of the play appears to fit with that cliché: ‘be careful what you wish for’. Back in the real world only misery awaited Lisa. A lovely moment was created when Lisa was asleep and the bright lights of Dissocia glimmered in the distance, tragically to be seen only as a distant memory.
Absolute praise goes to the ensemble of actors. There was a brilliant balance in Lucy Farrett’s performance as Lisa, beautifully capturing the conflict between a troubled soul and a fascinated explorer. The second half did have moments which moved a bit too slowly at times and made it difficult to remain focused. However, despite these minor criticisms, The Wonderful World of Dissocia is an awe-inspiring array of laughs and despair.
The Wonderful World of Dissocia will be at the Drama Barn from Friday 27 Feb- Sunday 1 March. Doors open at 19:30.
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