Review of Mercury Fur
 | "Sheer intensity and emotional whirlwinds" by Patrick Cash for remotegoat on 04/03/10 |  |
Elliot (Matt Granados) and Darren (Chris Urch) have broken into an old house with the aim of preparing it for a party, however they don't have much time because there's no electric (imposing a 'time race' upon the play as daylight hours dwindle) and it is increasingly hinted that the particular party in question which the production climactically leads up is definitely not going to be what one is expecting. A kaleidoscopic array of disquieting characters - disturbed and disturbing in equal measures - enter the fray as the audience becomes ever more aware of time passing and a crescendo coming.
Normally, to speak of 'climaxes' and 'crescendos' in a dramatic piece in this way would be indicative of a lazily amateur approach to the writing that aims to shamelessly manipulate the audience into a reaction but often falls way far of the mark. However, in Mercury Fur's weird world, where characters imbibe different coloured butterflies for highs and fantasies are indulged for income in a post-apocalyptic civilisation, the understanding that this culmination beckons is sneakily present from the start but only serves to add troubled nuances to the spectator's anxious excitement.
It is testament to Frances Koy's direction and the skills of the impressive acting cast that a certain energy that other productions can only dream about is grabbed by the throat from the opening scene and only ratcheted up to almost unbearable levels as the performance progresses. Whilst none of the acting itself can be particularly faulted, Ben Wigzell's outstanding turn as the psychotically charismatic Spinx has to be noted for its undiluted power and absolute domination of the stage at all times. A seemingly rough but ready approach to the lighting and set design serves to effortlessly draw the audience into the skewed, turbulently young and incandescent world of the play through the space.
Overall this is a controversial and unconventional play, and, admittedly, it's presented in an unconventional space and theatredelicatessan would probably take great pride in describing themselves as an unconventional company, but as theatre, it hits every single convention in the way it should do, and in a singularly spectacularly way.
| Event Venues & Times | |
| finished | 3 Picton Place | 3 Picton Place, Paddington, London, W1U 1BH |
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