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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Bima and Bramati
Verdict: Sub-Beckett
Edinburgh 04 - Traverse Theatre - (Various Times) (1hr 15mins)
Bima (Nicholas Hope) and Brimati (Maureen Allan) are two immobile long-stay patients connected to life-support machines. They are legless. They spend a long time talking.
They plan to reach the window at the end of the corridor outside the ward. This existential trip, often rehearsed in words, is a means to survive the days and the years they have been together.
Bima and Brimati doubt their existence, argue endlessly about the intricacies of planning their escape, and make great play of secreting sugar lumps as supplies for the journey.
There is no idea of time, where exactly they are, or why they have been placed together. The only other person mentioned is the 'French repair man' who maintains their machines. He is seen as one more obstacle to overcome on their journey to the outside world.
Bima imagines himself as master-thief and super-hero; he's a bit of a bully. Brimati takes a sensible laid-back logical approach to their predicament.
Samuel Beckett comes to mind - but the philosophy, ideas and humour are not of the same quality.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Maureen Allan – Bramati. Nicholas Hope – Bima.
Company Credits: Director – Franzisca Aarflot. Designer – Chris Lightfoot. Technical Operators – Venue Staff. Writer – Tord Akerbaek. Translator – Grace Barnes. Company – Det Åpne Teater.
END
(c) Peter Andrews 2004
reviewed Tuesday 17 August 04 / Traverse Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
