Cleansed – The Almeida
I have heard Cleansed be described as unreviewable. Is this owing to its explicit, horrific imagery? Or its polarisation of audiences into the enthused and the disgusted?
Tinkler, a doctor-drug-dealer, acts as puppeteer to lovers Rod and Carl; to siblings-turned lovers Graham and Grace; and to the juvenile Robin. Set in a university - although deeply unclear until spelled out by Dan Rebellato’s poignant programme notes - the trios and pairs of people are stretched to their limit. The initial scenes take on surreal stakes. The smallest of choices bear the greatest of consequences. The question of why these choices are made seem to be the play’s very pulse.
The choreography was captivating, unsurprising given it is a recognisable Frecknall feature. Muscular contractions are reminiscent...