Low Down
Dirk thinks he's an astronaut. Sylvia struggles to cope with his delusions and her job in a sandwich shop. Dirk encounters some key societal authority figures - a vicar, a judge, a nurse, policeman and lawyer as he rebels against 21st century life.
Review
Dirk is a well spoken 'chav' who arrives on stage in slow motion in full Nasa uniform. He not only thinks he's an astronaut, he dresses up as one, completing the illusion-delusion by taking "star dust" - supplied by a dealer aptly named "Justin Time".
An unusual and quirky piece, with it's fair share of charm and wit. Peppered with a rap-like form of rhyming speech and some well drawn characters, there is an appealing freedom and unpretentiousness to the way the play develops - in style, staging and story line. This is good stuff - people using the stage, characters, stories etc to entertain and even educate others, to share ideas about life and what's important, without getting overly hung-up with pose, polish or snob-professionalism.
We have here a play that feels a bit like watching a cross between Clockwork Orange and Austin Powers with a bit of Eastenders thrown in.
Scene after scene wizzes past, some changes a little rushed and clumsy to be honest, but the overall effect is a charming and strangely believable story of a young man struggling to find satisfaction in being unemployed and living with a girlfriend who works in a sandwich shop.
Dirk is played with passion and verve by Jonny Joy, and Bronya Deutsch is a strong and believable foil for him as Sylvia. All the other actors appear in dual roles, Graeme Eton's wise vicar, Ewan Borthwick's seductive drug dealer, Lesley Graham's concerned mother and Juliet Humphrey's no-nonsense judge are all strong and symbolic.
Alex Scott's writing is fresh and original, if at some points a little wordy, and lightly touches on some important issues. His policeman is a neat cameo too.
The biblical sub-text of the play, Solomon's advice for a happy life as written in Ecclesiastes, provide some moral depth behind this colourful presentation.
"Man can do no more that to eat and drink and enjoy his work..." A message perhaps even more relevant in today's multi-media world of confused priorities and passions perhaps as when first written?
An enjoyable and engaging 55 minutes of theatre.
Reviewed by NB 14/08/07
