EXPOSURE till 25 August
Edinburgh Fringe
EXPOSURE
by Frank Whately
Kudos theatre company at Pleasance Upstairs To 25 August 2003 except 13 August
1.30pm
Runs 1hr10min No interval
TICKETS: 0131 556 6550
Review: Timothy Ramsden 7 August
Exploring deception, conscious and unconscious, this show truly invokes the 'Spirit of the Fringe'
When people moan about the Edinburgh Fringe's pressures and commercialisation, invoking that long-lost ghost the Spirit of the Fringe', I'd recommend they see a show like this.
A young company from Kingston University (where, the programme tells, former West Yorkshire Playhouse director Jude Kelly is visiting Professor of Drama) work as a true ensemble the joint cast-listing as Chorus and individual characters reflects the ease with which the ensemble forms and re-forms for various scenes.
Neither in form nor subject is Frank Whately's play a bid for popularity. It is, generally though, a satisfyingly intriguing account of a fascinating character, exploring the notion of deception, conscious and unconscious.
No reason is given nor, really required why the central character kept changing his name. Edward Muybridge (1830-1904) was an American pioneer of photography, whose experiments with multiple cameras were steps on the way to early cinema. Not cheating us any way, the production shows how his photo-series amazed the 19th century.
Yet the first pictures of a horse trotting are followed by repeated, manic sequences of naked figures revolving, fighting. And Muybridge's mind suffered its own turmoil. A head injury suffered in a coach-crash (shown twice here, and a highlight of the ensemble acting, as the group composition splinters in slow-motion) could have caused a delirium in which he killed his wife's lover.
The action moves in and out of the trial (and forward to modern reflections on medical implications of the evidence) in apparent free-flow. Bit the Defence's sudden switch of tactics mid-trial isn't the only example of manipulated truth seeking a specific end, just as Muybridge's photography reveals truth about motion through the deceptive appearance of continuous movement.
One of his patrons, Leeland Stanford, railway magnate and founder of the university bearing his name, has American territory re-mapped to up his government grants (greater for building through mountainous rather than flat terrain). There's the story of treachery between white and Native Americans swirling in the story too.
Though individual performances are technically raw-edged, this company works with overall concentration on a piece that's demanding to perform but which slowly reveals a satisfying picture of its subject and the mix of motives in human endeavour.
Muybridge: Lawrence Speck
Chorus 1/Blanche Eppler: Alexa Jayne Waugh
Chorus 2/Stanford/Lydecker/Arthur Shimamura: Ben Clare
Chorus 3/Flora: Abigail Deeley
Chorus 4/Wirt Pendegast/Captain Jack: Roger Kennedy
Chorus 5/Helen Hunt/Judge Ewin Crocker: Fidelma Griffin
Chorus 6/Spencer/Interviewer: Jess Wittert Van Hoogland
Chorus 7/Saarah Smith: Nicola Stockley
Chorus 8/Whitney/Wheaton: Robyn Cooper
Chorus 9/Ruloson/Canby/William Gull/Coppinger: Joseph Taylor
Chorus 10/Harry Larkyns: Ben Barnes
Directors: Ben Barnes, Frank Whately
Designer: Richard Rafter
Sound: Steve Rafter
Music: Mike Greenway
2003-08-13 09:43:50