REVIEW: FAILURE STUDIES by Precarious Theatre at Etcetera Theatre 15 – 17 August /Camden Fringe
‘… some beautiful moments of self-realisation’ ★★★★
Failure Studies is a new short play by Marco Biasioli which very nearly defies description. It’s firmly in the bracket of Absurdist plays with its existential themes concerning failure. It’s a clever play with a plot showing an intern who is so badly treated, he becomes a chicken. The play goes on to explore various exploitations in the workplace including a scam for making money out of job seekers, and the gig economy.
Luke Richards had the job of playing the poor unfortunate intern, George, who turns into a chicken. It’s a convincing bird-like portrayal and George’s misfortunes raises quite a lot of laughter. David Allen is thrown into the role of the bad-ass boss, Marc, while Francesca Maria Izzo plays the role of his side-kick, Babe. The physicality throughout is excellent.
Whilst there is a grotesque side to the show, there are also beautiful moments of self-realisation, particularly notable in the monologue spoken by Izzo in the role of Babe. Standing on the seashore of time, some profound thoughts are shared.
Perhaps not everything in the show is clear to understand but this doesn’t really matter, it’s the overall laying bare of the problems facing people trying to get on the first rung of the career ladder. It’s that horrible time of wanting to climb but being abused in a position which actually has no prospects. The show seems to ask whether this is a failure? It seems to me that it is being set up for failure and we have it in all of us to make ourselves a success on our own terms.
The play might not be expressing that exact sentiment but the journey of watching the play is certainly provocative. It’s a nutty, enjoyable, excruciating, laugh-out loud show, with a clever script. Hopefully, we will be seeing more from this company in the future.
FAILURE STUDIES by Precarious Theatre at Etcetera Theatre 15 – 17 August /Camden Fringe
Box Office https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/events/failure-studies/
Author: Marco Biasioli
Director: Liam Grogan
Actors: Marc - David Allen, Babe - Francesca Maria Izzo, George - Luke Richards
Company website: https://www.precarioustheatre.co.uk/
Reviewed by Heather Jeffery, Editor of London Pub Theatres Magazine
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