home
|
about
|
news
|
contents
|
gossip
|
photographs
|
venues
|
brighton
|
dublin
|
edinburgh
|
film
|
features
|
interviews
|
awards
|
fashion
|
recipes
|
no more drinks
|
newsletter
|
links
|
contact
Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Asylum
Verdict: Sharp and poignant
Sidcup - Rose Theatre - 11 April 03
Four performers are identically dressed in red tops, with white cut-off trousers and bare feet. The set's a table on castors, there's a jagged-edged white screen suspended over the stage taking projected images. There's a sound-track, and lighting - often red.
We meet 4 actors playing cards, they move to form a scene of reception at British Immigration. 'Welcome' says the screen, and Immigration Officer (Will Hudson) echoes the message: 'Welcome to Paradise. But then again .... What the hell is your name? Foreign? Do you speak English'. The screen film above his head solarises.
Lindsay Gear's the potential Immigrant. The officer throttles her - she barely reacts. He grabs a bag of clothes: 'What's in the bag?' He pulls out her clothes, and sniffs them. 'Papers?'
The officer wheels the table away, images pass over the screen. Amy Milton and Kate Perry, who've moved in the background to the action so far, dance with Lindsay Gear. Viktoria Knoblauh enters, dressed in the opposite colours to the others: white top, red trousers. Now she's the immigrant - all the others hustle her. 'Why do you hate me?' she asks. 'I want you to be like me,' they reply, 'I'm looking for someone to punch.' 'Maybe we're all the same underneath,' the man says, no longer as the officer. 'I don't deserve to be here', says the immigrant.
'You are dead,' they say. 'Whoever has no sin, let him cast the first stone,' she replies. The stage plunges to darkness, the four run to the sides, and Viktoria Knoblaugh exits.
Three wheel Amy Milton, recumbent on the white table, to centre stage. The screen has solarised images of writhing figures. The performers call 'Open up,' and grab at Amy Milton - the screen shows a skull. The soundtrack's 'Enemy of The Enemy'. Kate Perry watches from a table at stage left, as Will Hudson and Lindsay Gear's characters victimise Amy Milton's Immigrant. The screen shows people in a room. The victim tries to run off, but the others block her. All goes dark.
Will Hudson's new character writhes on the floor; Amy Milton's does the same on the table - she has a shopping bag. Viktoria Knoblauh stares. Lindsay Gear's silent. Amy Milton carries a globe. Viktoria Knoblauh: 'Why does my heart beat like this? My dreams are unspeakable.' The sound track's rock music, the others speak, Amy Milton stands behind the table, Victokia Knoblauh's hands dance, the screen shows hands. Will Hudson recites numbers, and numbers fill the screen. 'I loved your hands,' he says, 'I've still got them.' The table spins.
Kate Perry climbs on the table, Amy Milton holds the globe; the screen shows trees in negative image. Will Hudson's character lifts Kate Perry's off the table, they dance. All face the audience, Will Hudson and Kate Perry rise from the floor. All move back.
At the end, they unpack clothes from the immigrant's bag. They put on different tops, and cluster round the table - hands waving over their heads on the screen.
Asylum is a reaction to anti-immigrant and anti-asylum sentiment in Western Europe, particularly in Britain. The writer (Viktoria Knoblauh) credits her use of montage to the approach developed by the Russian director Sergei Eisenstein ('The collision of two unrelated items') and the German director Piscator - both between the two World Wars. She applies it both to the content of the scenes, and to the montaging of scenes next to each other.
Asylum's a remarkably powerful and affecting show. Its subject is topical; the treatment is sharp, though poignant and without sentimentality. It's an absorbing and entertaining piece of theatre (essential when a message is being put across). This springs from fine writing, and delightful acting from the five gifted performers - each with grace and elegance.
Credits - Cast (alpha order): Lindsay Gear. Will Hudson. Viktoria Knoblauh. Amy Milton. Kate Perry.
Credits - Company (programme order): Video - Gaz Edgeley and Lisa Gross. Animation and Editing - Gaz Edgeley. Lighting Design - Rob Myer. Set (Screen) - Mr Ed. Sound Design - Joss Albert. Music - Asian Dub Foundation, Steve (ADF). Stage Managers - Andy Beardmore, Scott Holland, Christie Thackery, Rita Braganca. Production Managers - Roshni Sanjani, Amy Hillgrove. Director - Viktoria Knoblauh.
END
John Park
reviewed 11 April 03 / Rose Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
