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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
It's Snowing Outside
Verdict: Visual delight
Sidcup - Rose Theatre - 16 April 03
The audience is seated at balcony level, looking down on the stage. The auditorium's dominated by two ramps descending from the sides to the stage made from canvas and painted with daubs. The soundtrack's a gentle wood-wind, the three performers wear white tops, white aprons, yellow trousers, bare feet. 'It's snowing outside,' they say. 'It's useless to tempt us.' The two girls shake their heads in synch.
There's a vertical screen under the stage left ramp, with a window. Will Hudson's character gets behind it. 'What a beautiful country. What a wonderful country.' Before the show, director Liana Potila's taken fake birth certificates filled in by the audience, and now she reads them out.
It's a new scene and Will Hudson's up in the balcony among the audience, joined by Fabienne Geeler. Hannah Whelan's alone on stage, her hair in two bangs. 'When did this play begin? Will you buy my shoes? Will you buy this certificate for two pence?' ask the balcony hustlers. From the stage Hannah Whelan asks: 'Will you buy this new certificate?' She holds one up. 'What a dreadful illness this is.' There are loud intestinal sound effects, she writhes.
The other two actors return to the stage, to the far side of the vertical screen. They pass a disc through its window to Hannah Whelan - 'A present from us'. 'What good people,' she replies.
The performers are tied together with string, there are five gold coins. Hannah Whelan becomes a train and the other two follow her. 'Sing away as long as you please.' The three of them surround an upturned bath - each holding a ring disc - there's a blue overhead spotlight casting expressive shadows. 'Go quietly to bed.' Will Hudson and Fabienne Geeler give their discs to Hannah Whelan, and she rolls them. 'Donkey Fever?' she asks.
Will Hudson laughs and imitates donkey noises. There are words from Pinnochio: 'Suppose the world consists of puppet shows?' The three performers huddle together. 'Sandwiches! Tricycle!' They all sit on the bath, one behind the other.
Lights feature the canvas slide. Will Hudson and Fabienne Geeler look at Hannah Whelan, who's behind the screen. Now they're all side by side, hands stretching out their aprons in front of them. 'It is snowing outside,' they say, as the stage darkens.
It's Snowing Outside is a 21st century piece drawing on principles evolved by Walter Gropius's Bauhaus before the Second World War, and researched anew by director Liana Potila - the precise working between actors and objects on the stage.
It's Snowing Outside is brought to life by the excellence in performance of its three sparkling performers; and engaging writing from Liana Potila. It's good to look at - the combination of colour and intriguing staging is a visual delight. The narrative's quirky, intriguing, and entertaining from start to finish.
Credits - Performers (alpha order): Fabienne Geeler. Will Hudson. Hannah Whelan.
Credits - Company (programme order): Director - Liana Potila. Lighting Manager - Laura Hawkins. Lighting Designer - William Gallegos. Sound Designer - Anna Bertmark. Production Manager - Roshni Savjani. Deputy Stage Manager - James Barwick. Assistant Stage Manager - Ruth Clegg. Sound Operator - Richard Walker. Front Of House Manager - Leanne Simmonds. Text - Pinocchio - by Collodi.
END
John Park
reviewed 16 April 03 / Rose Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
