Review: A.I.M. (An Invisible Mission), Etcetera Theatre

Most of us will have surely seen pictures or videos of how the sound desks used for classic BBC TV programmes, especially sci-fi such as Doctor Who, where people stood around desks packed with the most random of items that suddenly become these futuristic sounds.

Well, that is very much the starting point for ICA Theatre’s A.I.M. (An Invisible Mission). But rather than sci-fi, this is an action thriller, and rather than the sound being added to the recording afterwards, we witness it created live. It does of course come with a catalogue of things that could go wrong in its complexity, which is perhaps half the fun.

Then, rather than a visual filled with special effects, instead the action is done completely through mime, with the only spoken words coming from either the rather busy sound desk operator or a recorded voice over.

Both visually and audibly AIM is an utter delight as Jess Perry and Bai Zhijin work their hardest to keep in perfect synchronicity. There’s great humour to be had in watching as Perry scrambles around her desk to produce the next sound effect and, even seated, she seems to be acting out all the moves that we see Zhijin perform. Zhijin’s performance is equally as compelling, acting out everything with (almost) no props to support his efforts. He creates space and distance with his movements even when almost stationary. The two really do work hand in hand to bring this show to life, and you can only imagine how much more they could, and should, do given more time to perfect the show.

Whilst AIM is already a wonderful show, it’s also one that you feel could take that giant leap to become even bigger and better. As fun and clever as the performances are, the plotting could be better defined, possibly a little more voice overs from Perry, as the times she does currently, really do add extra weight to it all. We get that he is a spy sent on missions but there is scope to really drive the plot. It’s only towards the end the love interest really comes to the fore of the story, giving it greater depth so this could perhaps be better delivered throughout. Even so, it’s cleverly played out and the use of a simple puppet for the love interest is a demonstration of what can be done with very little budget.

It’s also a shame that at times they have decided to use recorded voice overs and not allow Perry to speak more than she does. Although maybe she is already working hard enough! But should this show go on to bigger things, there’s no reason the cast of two couldn’t be expanded so all sound could be made live on the stage. A similar thing that would help on a bigger stage is the location of the sound desk; it currently sits stage right, but placing it more behind the performer could enhance the visual, allowing us to watch both performers without having to constantly switch where we are looking.

But these are issues mentioned more to demonstrate how this show could grow into something even greater than it already is. AIM is already a wonderfully inventive show that will thrill any audience. Full of soft humour, with two great performances and a creativity that really is what Camden Fringe should be all about, it’s a show surely destined for a longer run beyond Camden.

You can read more about this show in our recent interview here.

Written by: Jacob Moreton
Directed by: Anja Longworth
Produced by: ICA Theatre

A.I.M. (An Invisible Mission) plays at Etcetera Theatre until Sunday 3 August.