Once again, a good show, better than most, with only a handful of audience members. It is ridiculous how much people will scrabble for certain tickets and completely disregard a curious, enjoyable and genuine performance. At times, I do despair. Lucy Foster presents us with her campaign to save the polar bear and prevent the world from sliding inexorably towards ecological disaster. She does this by making propaganda videos dressed as a polar bear, giving confident speeches about the necessity to save the planet and imagining a world after the consumerist hell we have built up in this society.
Foster is both funny and charming and a compelling performer. She is incredibly real with us - greeting us as we enter, looking at each of us directly throughout (mind you, that is easier with such an empty house). She asked for our input and participation, but never in a way that feels exploitative or cheap. She is clearly passionate about what she is doing and why.
The reason the play is more than just a playful polemic about the environment is that the real story - or perhaps the more compelling one - is actually about how becoming passionate about an issue can give you the confidence and hope to be more passionate about your dysfunctional love life and more welcoming to life's possibilities without the necessity to be full of beer. In some strange ways, this is a love story - love for polar bears, for nature and the environment, love of affection and intimacy, love of love.
There are moments when Foster undermines her own political statements - by self-deprecating you imagine she is trying to be more endearing, but it comes across as weak and somewhat of a cop-out. It is possible to make deadly serious political points while being witty and charming, and with some subtle reworkings this show could be just that. A simple and effective staging and lighting, the whole show does work well and is a very enjoyable hour in the company of a very honest and compelling performer.
One hopes that in time Lucy will not just pretend to be confident about her ability to affect the course of environmental degradation, but will, in fact, believe in her ability to realise that world she describes to us.
7.5 out of 10.
At Pleasance Courtyard (Above) at 3.40pm.
Foster is both funny and charming and a compelling performer. She is incredibly real with us - greeting us as we enter, looking at each of us directly throughout (mind you, that is easier with such an empty house). She asked for our input and participation, but never in a way that feels exploitative or cheap. She is clearly passionate about what she is doing and why.
The reason the play is more than just a playful polemic about the environment is that the real story - or perhaps the more compelling one - is actually about how becoming passionate about an issue can give you the confidence and hope to be more passionate about your dysfunctional love life and more welcoming to life's possibilities without the necessity to be full of beer. In some strange ways, this is a love story - love for polar bears, for nature and the environment, love of affection and intimacy, love of love.
There are moments when Foster undermines her own political statements - by self-deprecating you imagine she is trying to be more endearing, but it comes across as weak and somewhat of a cop-out. It is possible to make deadly serious political points while being witty and charming, and with some subtle reworkings this show could be just that. A simple and effective staging and lighting, the whole show does work well and is a very enjoyable hour in the company of a very honest and compelling performer.
One hopes that in time Lucy will not just pretend to be confident about her ability to affect the course of environmental degradation, but will, in fact, believe in her ability to realise that world she describes to us.
7.5 out of 10.
At Pleasance Courtyard (Above) at 3.40pm.
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