Even allowing that writer Caryl Churchill (b 1938) has 'agreed to rewrite the original scene titles 10 years after the play was performed', this has added little to RandomAct's production. The story, such as it is, seems to hinge on communication, or the lack of it. There are projected captions on the back wall such as 'The War in Afghanistan', which serves merely as a backdrop for a fleeting meeting between a couple who have arranged to meet on a date which she is unable to keep. 'Pornography and Censorship' comprises a scene in which a family (posed in stilted Victorian style) try to persuade their silent, recalcitrent (or anorexic) daughter to eat. In 'Guantanamo', two self-obsessed men, who may or may not be gay, have an uncommunicative conversation, and later join a female friend for inconsequential chat about house prices.

After these disjointed scenes, they are all re-run, but re-staged – so that a phone-call between two people is re-imagined with two actors looking out front with the conversation being had behind them. A man now has to break the date with the girl. The most successful of these is captioned 'Darwin', which the first time around was two young girls talking about a forthcoming operation - but now changes to the epitome of boredom, with the cast sitting around texting with studied ennui throughout the scene.

But overall, there is little to raise the production (directed by Helen Broughton), over the level of a drama school exercise in performing a scene in different ways. And although it is competently acted (by Helen Allemano, Maeve Diamond, Ryan Epps, Evan Reguira, Katie Vye), Caryl Churchill's updated captions add little to what is, at just over half an hour, not much for £7.50.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Helen Allemano. Maeve Diamond. Ryan Epps. Evan Reguira. Katie Vye.

Company Credits: Writer - Caryl Churchill (b 1938). Director - Helen Broughton. Lighting / Sound / Set Design - Alex Hughes. Technical Operator - uncredited. Stage Manager - Nikki Gooch. Production Manager - Helmi Fagan. AV / PR - Tim Harris. Producer - uncredited. Company - RandomAct Theatre. Website - www.randomact.co.uk.

END

(c) 2009

reviewed Tuesday 18 August 09 / Etcetera Theatre, Camden, London UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com