This contemporary rendition of Eugène Ionesco’s 1950 surreal play promises all the chaos and bemusement of absurdist theatre. Apart from the occasional bafflement, however, the sparks fail to fly. The actors rely too literally on the script – and the contradictions and absurdities inherent in it – for their few laughs, failing to inject much personality into the performance. The result is absurdity for the sake of absurdity. There was occasional chemistry between Mr and Mrs Smith, but overall the actors played too much on the typically English stereotypes of their characters, overshadowing any subtleties in the script and creating a flat performance. Claiming to be ‘a parody of everything’, it was in fact a show about nothing.
C eca, 15, 17, 19 Aug, 12.55pm (1.50pm), £7.50, fpp240.
tw rating 2/5
[jb]
Sections: by Jennifer Bayne - ED2011 Theatre Reviews - tw rating 2/5 | Tags: Bablake Seekers, C Venues
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