DRIP. To 14 November.

Tour

DRIP
conceived and created by Attic People

Attic People theatre company Tour to 14 November 2003
Runs: 1hr 20min No interval
Review: Timothy Ramsden 22 May at Warwick Arts Centre

Attic people conjure a world of water out of thin air.Here's another from the international brigade of Lecoq Reunited physical theatre companies. The wide-eyed expressions, the neatly differentiated characters, the sense of moments devised for their own sake, the lack of any narrative propulsion, but a kind of thread to keep the fun and games in the same show the usual marks are all here. Fanatics, turn up and adore. Phobics, stay away, it's as inconsequentially silly as you fear.

For the rest, the question is, how well is it done? Is there any need for Attic People in the world? The answer's a fairly resounding Yes. This company has an individuality, as do its members who contribute unselfishly to the central strength of the ensemble.

The story's daft enough. Cracker Valley's engaged in its annual battle against Golden Heights to see who uses least water in the summer. This isn't developed as the battle between hygiene and conservation. For there's a rebel, Ben, who insists on dunking himself in baths, arousing suspicion when he comes out smelling of soap. Whether it's Ben or cleanliness, he wins the heart of Lisa, and off they go, pursued by the aqua-abstemious locals.

It'd be possible to see Ben and Lisa as a self-satisfied couple lacking a sense of social solidarity, but that's not Attic's view. They become individualist hero and heroine, bravely defying the mass-minded pettiness: the water-saving has no purpose, and all the Cracker-folk bother about is their name in the news and their faces on the local front pages.

These types are obvious enough but from glam to frowsty, poser to codger, they're finely observed, including Kieran Fay's basement bodybuilder, thick of muscle and brain cell, or Emily Parks' wobbly thick-hipped woman, ever hopeful of making a useful contribution to conversation.

Funny and well-observed as the individuals are, the memorable moments are generally group images. As the piece floods into fantasy, there's a fine swimming picture, notable for the variety of swimming movements, and the fine composition they make. Attic People have attitude and wit as well as tremendous skill. Let's hope to see them swimming this way, soon again.

Lisa: Tatjana Bogucz
Ben: Max Dana
Norm: Kieran Fay
Minnie: Kristi Hughes
Gina: Giulia Innocenti
Myrtle: Emily Parks
Karl: Thomas Zeuggin

Designers: Justine Macadoux, Carole Delterre
Lighting: Helen Willis
Sound: Edward Auslender
Costume: Suncana Dulic

2003-05-23 00:00:32