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Review: The Distance, Rosemary Branch Theatre

Camden Fringe 2024

Camden Fringe 2024 It's quite rare for anything nowadays to give me that childlike sense of wonder; the goosebumps that signal the start of a true adventure; that feeling that made The Little Prince timeless and Treasure Planet a cult classic. When the opening scenes of Mollusc Theatre's debut production The Distance managed to evoke precisely that emotion, I found myself filled with anticipation. This adaptation of an Italo Calvino short story initially impresses with its world-building, creating an atmosphere ripe with potential for a magical journey. Sadly, this burst of promise fades as the play progresses. The production…

Summary

Rating

Ok

A promising concept with strong performances, but ultimately let down by uneven pacing, underdeveloped plot, and missed opportunities to capitalise on its whimsical premise.

It’s quite rare for anything nowadays to give me that childlike sense of wonder; the goosebumps that signal the start of a true adventure; that feeling that made The Little Prince timeless and Treasure Planet a cult classic. When the opening scenes of Mollusc Theatre‘s debut production The Distance managed to evoke precisely that emotion, I found myself filled with anticipation. This adaptation of an Italo Calvino short story initially impresses with its world-building, creating an atmosphere ripe with potential for a magical journey. Sadly, this burst of promise fades as the play progresses.

The production opens strongly with a poignant song by Davey Green about loss and self-discovery that nearly brought me to tears. This is followed by a lecture from Professor Xlthlx, portrayed by Frederique McCarthy-Wilkinson, introducing us to a fantastical world where sailing to the Moon was once commonplace. McCarthy-Wilkinson’s vocal talent shines in another heartfelt song about the Moon, setting high expectations for what’s to come.

The plot unfolds as Xlthlx returns to her seaside hometown following an ominous letter from an old friend. There, she discovers it is plagued by noise. Three locals (Liv Hogan, Elisabetta Pezzaioli, and Joana Fresca) blame it on a man living on a giant shell and they task Xlthlx with killing said man based on a prophecy from a pot of paella. While intriguing, this setup isn’t fully capitalised upon. The production struggles to maintain its initial momentum, seemingly unsure of its main conflict or how to develop its central themes.

The pacing becomes increasingly problematic, with some less crucial moments dragging on – particularly the song about the paella – while key plot elements feel rushed or underdeveloped. The significance of the growing distance between the Moon and Earth, the role of Xlthlx’s friend in the town’s mysteries, and the importance of the “moonsoil” gift are all left frustratingly unexplained. Even the central premise – why Xlthlx’s friend needed her to return to town in the first place – is never satisfactorily addressed.

The cast’s performances are a definite highlight. McCarthy-Wilkinson’s Xlthlx delivers consistently impressive vocal performances, while the ensemble demonstrates great physical comedy and impeccable timing. Their energy and commitment shine even when the script falls short.

The minimalist set design and costumes effectively evoke the story’s whimsical nature, but this visual charm isn’t matched by the narrative development. Too little time is spent building the world of the story, leaving the audience with more questions than answers by the time of the play’s abrupt conclusion.

While The Distance falls short of delivering a fully cohesive theatrical experience, it shows promising glimmers of creativity and talent. The strong opening, skilled performances, and interesting concepts demonstrate Mollusc Theatre’s potential. With more attention to narrative structure, pacing, and character development, this young company could truly shine. Their debut, despite its flaws, hints at a fantastical realm that is definitely worth exploring.


Directed by: Davey Green
Produced by: Mollusc Theatre

The Distance has completed its run at Camden Fringe 2024.

About Andrei-Alexandru Mihail

Andrei, a lifelong theatre enthusiast, has been a regular in the audience since his childhood days in Constanta, where he frequented the theatre weekly. Holding an MSc in Biodiversity, he is deeply fascinated by the intersection of the arts and environmental science, exploring how creative expression can help us understand and address ecological challenges and broader societal issues. His day job is Residence Life Coordinator, which gives him plenty of spare time to write reviews. He enjoys cats and reading, and took an indefinite leave of absence from writing. Although he once braved the stage himself, performing before an audience of 300, he concluded that his talents are better suited to critiquing rather than acting, for both his and the audience's sake.