Involution by Rachel Welch, Pleasance 10 Dome till 25th August
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Involution by Rachel Welch
Mokita Productions
www.mokitaproductions.org
10 Dome, Pleasance Dome, Venue 23
Runtime: 1h, 15m: till 25th August
Starts: 12. Noon
Review: Jan Pick
19.8.08
Gene-Allergy!
Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ mixed with Wyndham’s ‘The Chrysalids’ informs this drama’s fascinating debate of the moral and political issues surrounding genetic engineering and medical advance. England is a one party ‘democracy’ controlled by a form of fundamental Christianity, which outlaws genetic interference as a soul-destroying sin, yet uses the science to gain power and control.
Here people are genetically ‘coded’ for their employment suitability and face rejection and low grade jobs if their profile does not meet the stringent standards of psychological and physical perfection demanded by the State.
In a London bed-sit three 20-somethings, Cohen, his sister, Dorcat, who both have an inherited disease, and Talulah eagerly await their friend ‘J’. All have faulty genetic codes, only surviving through the determination of Cohen, who has the money to buy the required drugs to keep their illness at bay. He is a rebel, who believes the government should allow science to investigate the possibilities of human genetic modification. His sister, Dorcat, and Talulah are both less sure. Dorcat, a brilliant artist with a fascination for a Cybernetic Companion called Gemma, is willing her illness to disappear, and Talulah, believes God will cure her. Into this mix ‘J’ arrives, bringing memories of the past, and introducing his girlfriend, Violet, whose presence creates a simmering tension which once ignited will change their lives forever.
There are occasional hiccups in the flow of the dialogue, but good acting, particularly from Alfie Talman as ‘J’, Jane Lesley as Violet, his seemingly go-getting, careerist fiancee and Ben Murray-Watson’s increasingly desperate Cohen, plus the pacey direction of Emily Agnew, and the unexpected twists and turns of Welch’s plot keep the audience riveted.
Among the myriad of plays on the Fringe this year here is one well worth taking an hour out to go and see.
Cast:
Cohen: Ben Murray-Watson
Dorcet: Joanna Miller
Talulah: Sara Pascoe
J: Alfie Talman
Violet: Jane Lesley
Gemma: Samantha Hopkins
Director: Emily Agnew
Production Manager: Daniel Staniforth
Designer: Victoria Johnstone
Stage Manager: Beth O’Leary
Music: Philip Guyler
Artists: Claire Graubner and Phillipa Stanton
2008-08-21 10:46:24