Marguerite Pepper Productions @ State Theatre Company Rehearsal Room 2 (the bowels of the Railway Station)
7:00pm, Tue 24 Feb 2004
Score: 7
Short Review: Evolutionary
After a twisted accompanied journey to the depths of the Railway Station, we view the ObCell – Observation Cell – for the first time. Initially appearing as a simple bounded space, we soon discover that the back walls are video screens, and the supporting frame is littered with small cameras – as is the performer (Ninian Donald) himself.
Intended as an exploration into the reactions of the isolated and manipulated individual, as well as the relationship between man and technology, The ObCell begins nicely, with a very industrial feel (the hum of the air-conditioning unit actually added ambience), and clever use of the overhead mounted cameras (making the projected performed appear to be “climbing” when, in reality, he was writhing on the floor). There was also some neat feedback effects used in the frame mounted cameras, but unforunately the piece quickly slipped into a movement-followed-by-shock-therapy visual monotony. Additionally, there were some technical troubles – the audience was left to watch mostly static as one of the performers cameras went incommunicado.
The last third of the piece, however, was fabulous. With Donald’s movements allowed to experiment with a perceived freedom, and some wonderful flaring visual effects, The ObCell more than redeemed itself.