OWNER/OCCUPIER: Knowles, Arcola till 26 October

OWNER/OCCUPIER
by Peter Knowles

Arcola Theatre to 26 October 2002
Mon to Sat 8pm
1h 45 mins one interval
Review: Danny Braverman, 14 October 2002

TICKETS 020 7503 1646

A lazily written play that goes nowhere.
Writer Peter Knowles tells us in his programme note that 'drama is about ideas'. Sadly, whilst foregrounding his 'ideas', the writer has jettisoned such essentials as narrative drive, character development, coherent theme or, dare I say it, entertainment. What keeps a small modicum of our attention in this play is the hope that the set-ups might lead somewhere. They don't and we're left with a feeling of being cheated.

Presumably centring the play on the interminable ramblings of his two central characters is designed to be fascinating. But sadly, these central characters, the two housebreakers Bashir and Esme, are no more than ciphers for the muddled musings of the author.

The stylistic elements of the play, that should add interest and dynamics, only serve to obfuscate and frustrate.

Part of the way through the first half we begin to realise that the bizarre furniture shifting isn't innovative stage management, but the two other characters (the house's residents Lisa and son Daniel), going about different bits of business. However, the carelessness with conventions of time (is this flashback, flashforward, something symbolic?) make these moments bewildering and irritating.

The heightened language is also annoying, as if a writer with no ear for dialogue is imitating Beckett and Pinter alternately, uncertain of his own voice.

But perhaps the element that most epitomises the carelessness of this play, and one that has a personal impact on me, was the introduction of a character with a 'colostomy' bag. We see the bag as Lisa changes it in the bathroom. Later, she and Daniel discuss her imminent death in hospital. Are we supposed to believe that the two are connected? As an ostomist myself I was initially delighted and intrigued to see my own condition depicted on stage. But then, the bag used seemed to be for an ileostomy not a colostomy. Why the inaccuracy? I was also disturbed that the bag was linked to premature death. For myself, bowel surgery saved my life.

I was, in the end, thankful that the audience was so small, as fewer people are now in danger of being misinformed.

It is a pity that a talented team's efforts were wasted on such a third-rate play. The actors are all clearly able and the design especially evocative. It is also a pity that the Arcola, whose recent productions have been of such a high standard, should choose to produce something so thin.

Lisa: Amanda Boxer
Bashir: Tony Taylor
Esme: Jo Theaker
Daniel: Ben Richardson

Director: Mehmet Ergen
Designer: Anthony Lamble

2002-10-18 20:08:27