Rainer, Arcola Theatre
June 15th
After our long journey to Kew Gardens, Isaac and I prepared ourselves for the trip to another fringe experience. I was quite hesitant going in because I had strong negative feelings towards Lift. I was consistently confused during Lift and could not follow any plot or dialogue, so I was worried about this production. Arcola was similar to the Southwark Playhouse with its limited seating, smaller stage, and no set pieces. Rainer was in their outside theatre, but the noise sometimes distracted me from the dialogue and my allergies kept acting up. But the play was a pleasant surprise.
Rainer is the name of the main character who we exclusively follow through their hour and fifteen minutes on stage. It is one actor who has the props of only two chairs. She can be somewhat unreliable, but it is her story of overcoming the grief of losing her father. She played so many characters, but her accents were impeccable. The lights and sounds were minimal, but they cued in the observers of the setting and mood.
She is an aspiring writer but works by delivering food all across London. We follow her mind through a few weeks as she continues to deny her experience with her father’s death. Her performance was moving, and she made the play move quickly. It did not only touch on emotions of grief but the ability to let others in and her focus on writing about the underappreciated of London. She spent some moments engaging with the audience and it created a connection with the story she was telling.
This performance boosted my opinion about fringe theatre. It was impactful, short, and impressive. It may not have potential to make it to West End, but the acting really shined. Even with limited resources, she created an active atmosphere that left the audience reflecting. If you make your way to London, don’t be afraid to have a fringe experience.
-Tabi is Booked
Theatre in London U of A 