And Even My Goldfish

A very tall man (Matt Rogers) locks himself into a room with a chair and the doorknob in his pocket and invites us to witness the workings of his unstable mind.

He periodically attempts to connect to the outside world via calls to people he does not know, their names gleaned from a phone directory, but his connections are never completed. The man seemingly controls access to the room by keeping the doorknob in his pocket, but this room is not impenetrable. It is invaded by a maelstrom of intrusions into the space, some welcome, others unpleasant, all fragmented.

The mix of choreography, physicality and sound in this Chotto Ookii production combine well to produce an intriguing piece of Total Theatre. The play runs for an hour, which in my opinion is just about right. The choreography is imaginative and the way in which the production explores the complex nature of long term relationships was innovative.

The portrayal of the cleaning (or hoover) obsessed wife, by Kathleen Yore is warm and sympathetic, despite her vulgar appearance and mannerisms.

The intricate nature of the performance compels you to give it your full attention. You may find there are moments of emotional turmoil as you watch the unravelling of this man’s mind, And Even My Goldfish deserves it’s accolades.

Chotto Ookii - And Even My Goldfish 1 – 3 June 2007 - Camden Peoples Theatre

• Lighting: Charlotte Stanley
• Sound: Will Bartlett

This review was done for Extra Extra