RAPPORT FRINGE ... MARGINAAL VERSLAG ... FRINGE BERICHT
Reviewing fringe theatre, film, art and performance in London and internationally credits
home
|
about
|
news
|
gossip
|
venues
|
brighton
|
dublin
|
edinburgh
|
film
|
features
|
interviews
|
awards
|
fashion
|
recipes
|
drinks Monday 5 January 09
|
newsletter
|
links
|
contact
Your ideas on sponsorship? details
The Universal Language of the Animals
Verdict: Fairly interesting
The Universal Language of the Animals is drama inflected with comedy, running at just under an hour. There's a cast of 7 (2F, 5M).
Narrator Blaized Carmey (Dan Mersh) introduces three states of existence: now, life in 3012, and an afterlife. He proposes the creation of a language that eg humans, birds and fishes can all understand - to reduce the misunderstandings between species that the three scenarios illustrate.
In the first state, Child 1 (Nick Pettigrew) recalls how his parents were eaten by a snake (Paul Nelson). Child 2 (Hazel Humphreys) was brought up by ducks. Child 3 - (James D'Chapeau) is vegan and serenely indifferent. A pigeon
(Paul Nelson) rapes another pigeon (Cecilia Smart) and infects her with Newcastle Disease. A hawk (Cecilia Smart) prepares to attack, leading to violence among children and birds.
In the second state, in 3012, Robot Child 1 (Alex Macqueen) and Robot Child 2 (Hazel Humphreys), with promptings from Robot Child 3 (Nick Pettigrew), try to work out what humans were like; and discuss non-communication.
In the third state, a type of after-life, Muthpet 1 (James D'Chapeau), Muthpet 2 (Alex Macqueen), and Muthpet 3 (The King) (Nick Pettigrew), pass judgment on the others - and whether to send them to Schala (good), or Draaaaag (bad). Those judged include the eggs of the previous pigeon - Egg 1 (Cecilia Smart), and Egg 2 - (Hazel Humphreys).
It's a potentially interesting play. There are elements of Jean-Paul Satre's version of existentialism, and a trace of Nietzsche. It's told in an arch Edward Lear / Walter de la Mare nonsense style, stitched together with pseudo-philosophy.
It is difficult to review the play at the moment, because tonight's version seems an unrehearsed reading, with scripts open, and a number of forgotten lines. But it feels fairly interesting. With a ruthless - very extremely ruthless - edit, and some rigorous work on the script to make the dialogue more inviting, it could be a cult hit.
Tonight's audience includes legendary performer Peter Buckley-Hill, comedy experts Zena Barrie & Michelle Flower (FRA 04 - Best Comedy Company), sublime press officer Penny Sims.
Cast Credits: Hazel Humphreys - Child 2, Robot Child 2, Egg 2. Alex Macqueen - Robot Child 1, Muthpet 2. Dan Mersh as Blaized Carmey - Narrator. Paul Nelson - Snake, Bird 2. Nick Pettigrew - Child 1, Robot Child 3, Muthpet 3 (The King). Cecilia Smart - Bird 1, Egg 1. Jim Woroniecki as James D'Chapeau - Child 3, Muthpet 1.
Company Credits: Written and directed by Blaized Carmey. Technical Operator - Phil Bentley. Thanks: (programme spellings): Nick P, Humph, Cecilia, James D'Chapeau, Paulie, Ruman, Michelle, Zelda, Pillip, Martyn, Rogger, Chortle, Jerry, Andre, Mr Nichol, Marek, Spencer, Ween, Dominic Frisby. Venue Credits: Etcetera Theatre: Artistic Directors - Zena Barrie, Michelle Flower.
END
John Park
reviewed Monday 22 November 04 / Etcetera Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
www.fringereport.com
