Saturday, 11 September 2010

Spare Time


As I may have mentioned earlier this week, it is taking some time to get back up to speed with my theatre going. This is a mixture of Emma, our beloved reviews commissioner being on holiday for a couple of weeks and the new season picking up speed. This said, my evening are beginning to fill up and I found myself at the theatre for four nights last week - more often than some may do in a year. Monday was Maurice, Wednesday was Punk Rock and Thursday, Sofie Mason invited me to attend Spare at the New Diorama Theatre.

Spare is a new piece from Sebastian Rex and his company Acting Like Mad. It deals, in an uber theatrical manner, with the problem the abuse of young people. Despite the many measures that society puts in place to stop the cycle of abuse, it will still happen. Corruption and selfishness is in our very nature and we are unlikely to break that cycle.

Whilst I didn't particularly agree with Rex's message, I have to admire the work he has staged here. The writing has clarity and style without being patronising and the staging is bold and inventive without being superficial. The company consists of a mix of five girls and three boys and there is an interesting surprise that adds a certain frisson to each performance. I am quite tempted to see it again for that very reason and not simply for the boys in their underwear.

Spare runs until the 25th of September at the New Diorama Theatre. Try to see it twice, if you can. I will.

1 comment:

  1. ...... but the boys in their underwear doesn't hurt does it ;-)

    Sounds like a really interesting production.

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