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SandMan
Verdict: Fast-paced cure for narcolepsy
SandMan is the tale of conman Jude's love for his mad mum, and mission to release her from narcolepsy by inventing a drug that'll cure sleep itself. It lasts an hour and a quarter, one act with 6 actors; it's fast-paced drama with some comedy.
Poor elderly Enid's locked within her brain, endlessly living the story of The Sound of Music while she's awake. Mainly though, she's asleep, cursed by a hereditary sleep-bringing disease, under the supervision of dodgy Nurse Haze.
Enid's wide-boy son Jude robs and cons to make the money to buy the drugs - from naughty Nurse Haze - to make the perfect antidote to sleep. At the same time he's trying to keep up with victim-turned-lover Katya's rampant love for him. In finding an end to sleep, will something be won, or everything lost?
Few plays seek the description 'genius'; this merits it hands down. It's remarkable in its originality, script, performance, concept and staging, and the interlocking of those elements. Genius is a dangerous and unstable area, and the play rides the risk of wrecking itself at a number of points, some concerned with pretension, some with the edit parts of the script need. But it doesn't, by a whisker (all that's needed, after all), and by the allowance genius always receives - that by nature it must be flawed somewhere. It's a breathtaking experience, an exciting and truly remarkable piece of theatre.
Sarah Coyle's an acrid and sinister Nurse Haze. Emma Dorrington's an appealing and convincing Katya. Ray Spangler Downing's a suitably imposing Bouncer, though the conceit of treating the incoming audience as visitors to a club, frisking and sorting into sexes may irritate some, or perhaps many. Lydia Fraser-Ward's a deft and witty silent Club Hostess. Emma Horne's Enid evokes the pathos of the character without milking it, a subtle piece of work. Ben Neale seizes attention as Jude and keeps it, a highly charged delivery of a character written and played as charismatic.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Sarah Coyle - Nurse Haze. Emma Dorrington - Katya. Ray Spangler Downing - Bouncer. Lydia Fraser-Ward - Club Hostess. Emma Horne - Enid. Ben Neale - Jude.
Company Credits: Ray Spangler Downing - Director, Writer. Toby Clarke - Dramaturge, Lighting Operator. Lydia Fraser-Ward - Producer, Designer. Juan Pablo Ferrari - Lighting Designer. Alex Clarke - Sound Designer & Operator - Production Assistant. Company - Fuse Productions.
Venue Credits: Etcetera Theatre: Management: It's Alright For Some - Zena Barrie & Michelle Flower. The Etcetera Theatre has been supported by the Foundation For Sport & The Arts, and by Camden Arts & Leisure.
END
John Park
reviewed Thursday 29 January 04 / Etcetera Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
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