The lights go down on a dark, empty space – the cavernous soul of this ‘Ridiculous Man’. Effective lighting highlights the contours of Dillon’s face and the shadows of his mind, as he says, “They call me mad!” – you can see why. The ravings of this conflicted suicidal man are beautifully painful to watch, as he yearningly stares through us. The piece is a contemplation on sin and science and the possibility that a world without the latter would also lack the former. Although clever, the physicality is not quite there and even the minimal use of props is at times a bit clumsy. However, the madness – or possible sanity – is tangible, and the production is dreamlike and effective in its simplicity.
Spotlites at The Merchants’ Hall, 24, 26 Aug, times vary, £7.00 – £10.00, fpp257.
tw rating 4/5
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Sections: by Poppy Rowley - ED2011 Theatre Reviews - tw rating 4/5 | Tags: George Dillon, Spotlites
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