Deciding the order of your performance by a random spinning wheel or creating part of your costume by mid-show balloon modelling are certainly novel ways of spicing up a theatre show. And in tonight’s double bill that’s exactly what we get, as Break Up Theatre present two intriguing shows.
The first is a double act performed and written by Amber Hainge-Cox and Michael Deacon with the premise of exploring everyday thoughts. Each take it in turn to perform the 40 mini-monologues that are selected as the wheel spins and it is at the very least an impressive feat of memory, with the actors delivering each thought with confidence.
The monologues are cleverly genderless to work for whichever actor has to deliver them. Some are absurd, some are single lines that trigger laughter at their abruptness. Some are tinged with poignancy, some are mundane to the point of being boring but that is the risk and, I suspect, the point of exploring the question of what it’s like to voice every random thought we have.
The moments of silently waiting for the wheel to select the next monologue drag, and there are interesting thoughts you wish they’d expand on, but we’ve already moved on. But there is a truthfulness to proceedings and overall it is an engaging and interesting concept.
Our second piece is the true story of an undercover policewoman, Alice, who infiltrates the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army to gather intelligence on their plans to protest the G8 in Gleneagles, Scotland, an undercover operation that was criticised in some circles as one of several examples for ‘wasting millions’ on ‘pointless’ investigations.
Written and directed by Sam Hey, and solidly performed by Amy Chung, it is an interesting exploration of the impact of Alice’s interaction with the group (with some theatrical flourishes as she makes tea, and makes a balloon hat) and the immediate fallout of accidently breaking her cover when she faces arrest during a protest.
It would be interesting to see more of the characters that Alice encounters portrayed and to explore the betrayal felt by the group that, in the real world, she allegedly deceived and manipulated for nearly five years rather than the show ending a little abruptly after Alice reveals her identity. But it is an opportunity for the audience to reflect on their own views on the police tactics deployed and rounds off 75 minutes of fascinating concepts that, with expansion and development, could become powerful pieces of theatre.
For further Manchester Fringe Festival shows, visit https://greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk/
Reviewer: Lou Steggals
Reviewed: 22nd July 2024
North West End UK Rating:
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