REVIEW: DARK NATURE at Canal Café Theatre / Camden fringe No Peroxide / Michaela Betts 22 – 24 August 2023

‘psychological drama, hauntingly memorable’ ★★★★

This unusual show is a Michaela Betts’ deeply personal exploration of childhood trauma, using baroque-pop songs, storytelling, spoken word and animation.

At first the show appears to be very on the nose. It starts by announcing that the protagonist suffered sexual abuse at the age of seven and the effects of this are demonstrated throughout the piece.  It is linear, and at this stage it would appear that the story is cut and dried. However, there is a denouement towards the end of the show which changes everything and brings into context the title of the show ‘dark nature’. The show now becomes more of a psychological mystery. It is moving, thought provoking and ethereal.   The final scene shows a stunningly beautiful animation of a young child continually morphing into a beast. It is worryingly sexualised but totally in context for the drama.

Betts is joined on stage by actor/singer Antonia Richards who both play the role of the protagonist. Betts is mainly on the piano, while Richards acts out the role of Michaela. Both have lovely voices shown in some all too brief duets. Above all, Betts’ compositions and performances are gorgeous, particularly the title song, which is hauntingly memorable. Also, a mention of the very pretty animation by Hilary Campilan, which is brilliantly created with the help of a choreographer Chrissy Brooke. 

The designer, Adam McCready completes the excellent aural soundscape with his additional material. There is no doubt that the show is a feast for the ears however, one of the devices used does seem a little odd, namely Betts’ hand placards. These helped to highlight the trauma however, the audience was asked to repeat the words. This seemed rather like the liturgy in Church or being asked to repeat sentences as a punishment in the school room. There is some doubt as to whether Betts’ really intended that audiences should feel like that, or perhaps this is just incidental. Either way, it’s a minor quibble.

DARK NATURE at Canal Café Theatre / Camden fringe

Presented by No Peroxide / Michaela Betts 22 – 24 August 2023

Twitter: @ Miksweety

Book, music and lyrics: Michaela Betts

Cast: Michaela Betts and Antonia Richards

Director: Helen Goldwyn

Creative Producer: Rebecca Little/Little Pixie Productions

Sound design: Adam McCready

Animation:

Dance and Choreography by Chrissy Brooke, UK

Animation and Edit by Hilary Campilan, Sydney Australia @bunty_ai

Reviewed by Heather Jeffery