The lights dim on a large space, cluttered with old suitcases and junk. A series of disheveled backcloths hang from the rafters. Suddenly, the space is filled with the noise of chaotic sound effects and a combination of violent images and sketch-based animation is projected onto the largest of the screens. The screen is then snatched away, through the letterbox of a door that has been hanging behind it. A wooden trunk begins to open centre-stage. A projection onto it cleverly reveals the person inside. Voiceover: "If I could just find something, anything...". Promising, watchable stuff, but that's where it ends. I have detailed the opening of 'Druthers', as it's one of the only parts worth watching.
The first five minutes of this production are so full of promise, that the remaining hour is cruelly disappointing in comparison. Frustratingly clichéd lines mix with achingly unoriginal movement sequences. Scenes go on for far too long. Characters are criminally underdeveloped. I'm not too sure I *want* to watch a man dance about in his underwear with no particular purpose, or no impetus to do so. I don't want to hear Shakespeare's words ripped out of context and thrown in for cheap laughs.
The lead cannot carry the piece by himself, so it is more interesting when the other performers finally take to the stage as a group. However, the only compliment I can give them is for their evident confidence and enthusiasm.
The use of mixed media in Druthers should be interesting and certainly had that potential. Unfortunately, I found very little to enjoy in this production. A bit more imagination and a lot more heart would have gone a long way in helping improve it. As it stands, if you had your druthers you'd be best off giving it a miss.
[Tom Powell]
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