Written by Jess Gerrier
Directed by Ivan Hamshaw Thomas
Review by Marina Funcasta
In a play about insincerity, I suppose it is unsurprising that we fail to really connect with any one character. Crocodile Tears, written by Jess Ferrier, is a comedic exploration into the personalities we see on reality TV, and the power of the camera when it comes to building a narrative – be it for yourself, or for the wider public.
It is a genius idea, and one which feels pertinent. Perfect for a Fringe show, the bodies we are used to seeing on little laptop screens emerge in this production with all their humanity. But even with the tangibility of the live stage, it is a struggle to relate to the ensemble. A faltering Christian, an anti-establishment cynic, an anxiety nut-job, a compulsive liar and a defensive grump walk into a bar… and unsurprisingly chaos emerges. Glimpses at redemptive features were few and far between, but I would credit Robyn Reilly for navigating the balance between being her insufferable hypocrisy and profound insecurity.
This insecurity is perhaps what could have been drawn out a bit more by the other actors: what makes you want to be on a reality tv show in the first place? To be watched, to lose all your agency and relinquish your fate to the opinions of others? Surely the answer is delusion anchored in low self-esteem. Rory Drinnian Murray is also elastic in his performance, filtering his physicality with mannerisms which hint towards previous, inherited anxieties which go beyond their immediate jungle set-up. But these are ultimately glimpses, which if they had been made more of, would have expanded the tonal reach of the entire performance. Instead, the bickerings near on repetitive, limiting the flow of tension, which definitiely peaks at the final scene.
The darker edges aside, Ferrier’s script is lucid in its humour. Particularly well-written are the transitions between scenes, drawing from ad-breaks, to confessional booths, to interventions by the host, played with admirable commitment by Abi Price. The slickness of these transitions is a credit to the direction of Ivan Hamshaw Thomas; well paced and placed, theatre in the round is no challenge to this ensemble. Indeed, the trust and awareness between the actors are tangible, and for this reason, I would keep an eye out for the future of Shark Bait Theatre. Close-knit, comedic and creative, this theatre company has a lot going for it.
Close-knit, Comedic and Creative
Crocodile Tears runs at theSpace @ Venue 45
Running time: Fifty-five minutes without interval
Review by Marina Funcasta (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Marina is halfway through an English literature degree at Edinburgh University, wherein she has been (considerably) involved in the drama scene: enjoying performing with their Shakespeare Company shows, but also modern takes on Arthur Miller. However, Marina’s interests are wide-ranging under the theatre genre – enjoying abstract, more contemporary takes on shows (with a keen interest in Summerhall)
