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No Obvious Trauma
Verdict: Gifted portrayal of hysteric
Edinburgh 06 - Pleasance Courtyard - 2-28 Aug 06 - 15:40 (1:00)
The sound of rain; a man in a hospital wheelchair; a doctor reading notes. A train hurtling through a tunnel - the clack of the train made by drawers opening and closing.
Ruth (Zoë Hunter) doesn’t speak. It's up to Dr Crawley (Gilbert Taylor) to find why. Without any notes, he has to unravel Ruth’s past from a photo, and a letter from a previous hospital. His colleague, Dr Weaver (Darren East) knows more than he lets on.
No Obvious Trauma is finely-crafted theatre - fresh, innovative and fun. Using minimal props, the cast swirl around the stage, moving screens to make the sets. The unfolding of Ruth’s traumatic past is done with compassion and wry humour. Puppets retell a love affair. A silhouette sequence is effective in its simplicity. The choreographed sets are outstanding.
Zoë Hunter's expressive face makes words superfluous. Darren East gives Dr Weaver a deft lugubriousness, counterbalanced by Gilbert Taylor’s jolly and easy-going Dr Crawley.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Darren East – Dr Weaver. Zoë Hunter – Ruth. Gilbert Taylor – Dr Crawley.
Company Credits: Director - Clare Dunn. Lighting Designer - Henry Dawn. Costumes - Joy Dunn. Cello – Hannah Marshall. Piano – Loucas Hajiantoni. Written, devised and produced by Unpacked. Company - Unpacked.
END
(c) Lea Harris 2006
reviewed 16 August 06 / Pleasance Courtyard
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2009
