An unhinged family dinner that explores cannibalism and the vernacular. Both visceral and disorientating, it's a fever dream that will keep you on your toes and unable to look away.Rating
Good
Director Alix Egoroff describes A Goldenberry Cage as a “weird, collective hallucination”. And damn, are they right! Exploring the parallels between cannibalism and the vernacular, this fascinating play from Foul Young Theatre centres around the most bizarre family dinner to exist.
Strange family dynamics and power struggles come to light in the domestic setting of the dining room. The familiar environment is juxtaposed by the family of four feasting on the eldest laid across the table. The effect is extremely visceral; snapping limbs and carving away flesh. Bloodied pieces of fabric become skin, creating a squeamish reaction as they tear it with their teeth and spit.
One never feels quite at ease, captivated by the eccentricity of the family, keeping the audience both on its toes and glued to their every movement. Whether it’s the Father’s (Douglas Alexander) dominant anger in his monologue, the Mother’s (Max Easton) outbursts or Denver’s (Jacob Louis Baker) awkward disobedience, there is an unsettling tension that continues to rise. Sam’s (Lucy Maddison) nonchalance at being hacked away at is comedic yet sometimes her soft spoken nature makes it difficult to hear what she is saying. The narrative becomes increasingly intense and almost suffocating, succeeding in making the audience feel uncomfortable and on edge.
The production excels at creating an immersive environment. Simple lighting sets the mood well. Red light plunges the audience into disorientation, emulating the anger of the scene. A quick switch to a clinical white feels blinding, requiring a second to adjust and feeding into this destabilisation. The props aid in creating the domestic setting without feeling overworked; they are used to help with visual storytelling or create a humorous moment.
Particularly entertaining is the frequent breaking of the fourth wall. Whether it is the mother demanding the lights be changed, the father directing questions to the audience or, in my case, having a chewed up piece of fabric offered to you, it offers a unique spin that makes the audience not just viewers but voyeurs.
Wildly unique and very much experimental, A Goldenberry Cage turns what should be an ordinary family dinner into something that is playful, unhinged and disturbing. It will not appeal to all, but for those of us prepared to buckle in for a crazy journey, it’s a fascinating exploration of wacky family dynamics that could flourish into a strong production.
Written and Directed by Alix Egoroff
Sound design by Charlie Traynor
Lighting design by Carrie Luce
Tech by Elliott Haxton
Produced by Foul Young Theatre
A Goldenberry Cage plays at Baron’s Court Theatre until Thursday 13 August.
