"What would happen if the world flooded today? This was the question that 'Action Company' put to an audience in the Trafó this month.The performance opened with a pre-filmed news report announcing news of a tsunami which would cause vast flooding. The idea was to provoke a reaction from the audience encouraged by a character from the Last Chance sailing company. The audience was asked to consider what objects they would save and take with them on ’Noah’s Ark’.
In contrast to this the antagonising character in the performance, a religious enthusiast, was trying to convince the audience that this is in fact the apocalypse and it is time to face the ultimate judgement.
You’ve heard of theatre sports. Active drama games were used to entertain and involve the audience in the performance. Those who were lucky enough to win a game were presented with a ticket to the boat. The loosing members were given some amusing items such as a diving mask and told to await their judgement.
The aim was to involve the audience to the extent that they forgot about the flooding and would be left feeling dismayed when the final news clip is shown. ’Mankind has missed the boat. But hey, don’t worry about the world coming to an end today; it’s already tomorrow in Australia’ a light hearted performance with provoking under thoughts.
Although most of the audience had an enjoyable time and got involved there were also many who did not take it seriously. The company needs to consider the structure of this kind of challenging performance. It was difficult to perform while the audience is drinking beer and socializing.
There were also some technical difficulties which let the performance down but potentially it was a fantastic idea. There are high hopes for this up-and–coming theatre group with the next production ’Christmas Crushes’ in the Trafó Bar Tango on 6th December."
By Faye Bradbrook
22.11.2007