DEAD HANDS tours till 24 November

Wrestling School

DEAD HANDS: Howard Barker
Wrestling School at Birmingham Rep
Tours Till 24 November (details www.thewrestlingschool.co.uk)
Runs: 1h 40m, no interval
Review: Rod Dungate, 19 October

Probably something going on but what?Walking across Birmingham's Chamberlain Square on my way home from this performance I walked past a large outdoor TV screen. On the screen a young woman was saying 'I kept thinking 'Ooh, get on with the story.'' I have no idea what she was talking about; it probably wasn't DEAD HANDS, but it could well have been.

It's odd coming away from a play and having nothing to take with you; no image, no debate, no absorbing characters or drama. You wonder what you're doing with your life.

A father has died. Two sons, one hard-working professional, one a time-waster, vie with each other to take possession of their father's lover. Raw sexual energy is released, she is reduced to little more than an act (several of them actually) of cunnilingus.

I understand where the debate lies, but despite Barker's usual deluge of words, the debate seems to go nowhere. I has no intellectual, dramatic nor entertainment point other than to raise the question 'So what?' Watching DEAD HANDS is a null experience which I suppose may be the point. If it is then it's a pretty pointless one; and now I've become as circular as Barker's argument.

Increasingly Barker shows himself to be up a creek unfortunately he hangs on to his paddle and keeps coming back. But then Barker doubtless earns a great deal more than I do so he clearly has the last laugh.

Much to be admired is Justin Avoth's energetic and committed performance of hard working son, Eff.

Eff: Justin Avoth
Istvan: Chris Moran
Sopron: Biddy Wells

Derector: Howard Barker
Setting: Tomas Leipzig
Costume: Billie Kaiser
Lighting: Helen Morley
Sound: Paul Bull
Movement Advisor: Ilan Reichel

2004-10-20 17:51:55