While the theme of Red Lola is a old (though challenging) one of a dubious romance between an adult man and a teenage girl, the style and technique by which it is presented is highly original.

After the first minute or so, it becomes clear that the two actors, whose faces are represented by black masks, have their backs to the audience, with the masks on the back of their heads. The result is that they move somewhat like jerky puppets, which, combined with the use of masks, creates a sinister unreality that matches the theme of the story, while simultaneously providing light relief from this heavy theme. Strange as it may seem, there are many laughs during the show, but because these mostly derive from the physical difficulties of performing with one's back to the audience, they do not trivialise the serious issues being explored.

Acting and technical aspects are faultless throughout, with Medb Lambert as Lola and Marcus Bale as Hum both well capable of improvising if necessary. The stage is framed in red velvet drapes (set by Olan Wrynn) and both characters wear combinations of red and black (costumes by Lisa Zagone), contributing to the stylised nature of the presentation.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Marcus Bale - Hum. Medb Lambert - Lola.

Company Credits: Writer - uncredited. Director - Donal Gallagher. Composer - Linda Buckley. Set - Olan Wrynn. Costume - Lisa Zagone. Lighting - Kath Geraghty. Sound Operator - Niall Coughlan. Technical Manager - Kevin O'Donoghue. Producer - Karina Buckley. Company - Asylum Productions in association with Mill Street Studios. Company Artistic Director - Donal Gallagher. Website - www.asylumtheatre.com.

END

(c) Colman Higgins 2009

reviewed Saturday 5 September 09 / Mill Street Studios, Dublin, Ireland

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com