Theatre
PUGILIST SPECIALIST to...
Brilliant political satire
This engrossing piece of theatre is likely to be the best thing you see this festival. The Riot Group’s latest foray into political theatre and the politics of theatre sees four US Marines preparing a black operation involving the assassination of a Middle Eastern leader. A zealous female meritocrat, a psychopathic sniper, an emotionally dead technician and a sinister commanding officer combine to provide us with as searching an examination of American military expansionism as you could
find.
A simple, compelling score sets off the rich incantations and aphorisms of Adriano Shaplin's script, which takes us on a rich journey through rhythmic repetition and startling turns of phrase. There is an exploration of nee-conservative ideology that uncovers, in its minions, and through, by implication, to its leaders 3 sub- erotic relationship of America to the enemies it finds to propagate paranoia. Meanwhile, the role of history, gender relations and philosophy in all this is elucidated. If that sounds pretentious, then I should add that this piece is as funny as anything you’ll see. One particular sequence, where the squaddies read aloud letters sent to them by American children, is a highlight among many. Just see it. (Steve Cramer)
I P/easance Courtyard. 5:36 (55:30. until 25') Aug tnot 14;, I. 733/)In, 5‘9—5‘10(5‘7.5()--§‘8,:3()r.
TOWN OF MICE .0.
Awesome potential let down by a lack of pace
Musical and physical theatre combine in Russian company Performing Monkey's surreal tale ab0ut a group of travellers who take shelter from a rainstorm in a deserted town.
Strewn With
technically awesome moments. the six- strong cast's impressive utilisation of plungers and matchboxes create an almost hypnotic trance. The musical troupe — which at times seems oddly placed Within the context of the action — effortlessly flits between humorous interlude and Sinister melody. But the pace — in particular. the negotiation between the musical and the physical elements — lets the piece down. Interesting and multi- dimenSIOrial but surpriSIngly unemotive. (Anna Millar) I Gateway. 377 3939. until 12 Aug. 3. 75pm; 74—25 Aug. 70.30pm. f 70 (98).
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Engrossing political satire
BOY STEALS TRAIN 0000
Full steam ahead
teach him how to :l"‘.(? a trair‘ and gain er‘t'j. into the secure areas :>‘ the transport system. ‘v‘.’hat ensues is the tenuec humorous tale of a young boy so enraptiireu pi, h s love of the submit that he ends up incarcerated for grand larceng, ‘or more than hat nis 'ife.
Initially lemurer this extraordinary true story picks up pace like the proverbial TGV. As an adoiescent groin-ring up in New York. Darius .s befriended by a group of transit \r‘rorkers who
76 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 5 Aug; 233.4,
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TALKSEXSHOW 0...
Up and ready for acflon
f premature ejaculation. monkey masturbation. and mocint; iike a cow in public leave you f(:(}l|ll(_} sheebish. dive this one a rniss;
The premise behind the ‘taik f;t‘.r;‘.‘." is félllll, flaccid: there is we love ll‘ t‘u'i‘.a".!’.,' so we can". h!‘:().'. hos. to i'iake lose But "r. one cares. This is lanac, at :ts best. lr‘. bets/ee" .‘Jatehing a liaiss.";zit ‘ctiiit' or‘. an ou'ert‘ead screen. a hapless audience member starts chanting ‘l an: large" in reference I: his penis. an unsusoecting foreigner
is icid c, one oi Our
‘teachers': 'i love ‘,‘Ou. No. ljust ‘.'.ia_"t to fuck ,.(;ti'. and am asked if I ever n‘z‘isturbate with urcgetables, Bottom line: the is not for the faint of heart.
Not so nucn theatre as an tB—ffiC's boot camp But a word of .'.'at"ll‘gj ,ou'll ne'er
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tAnna Millar; I Underbe/iy, 08 7 O 745 24 Aug.
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GOGOL’S UNDERDOGS .0.
And now for something completely different . . .
That's right. the Rogue State theatre company has re'.-.'orked Nikolai Gogol's fantastical stories 'Madman‘. 'Nose’ and ‘Coat‘ in the surreal comic style of Mor itv Pyt/ior i 's Fly/lit; Circus. Thus. men r,l:i/ old hags .'.’Ill|f: others wear giant noses on their heads There'v, even a man from the iiiirtistry. mth a ‘Sllly .valk. Arguably. the stories. one about a man who thir‘ks he's the King of Spain, another who ioses his conk. a third about a man in love .vith his mercoat land all of .vhom are clerks working in the oppressive bureaucratic regime Of i830$ Russiai. are Python material. But while it's a lively, funny Show. the humour's somewhat dated. 'Miles Fielderi I Underhe/ly. 0870 745 3083. MW 24 Aug. 4.35pm, {8—9 mom.
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