Eigengrau - a ★★★★ story of urban chaos!


☆★★★★ Eigengrau

The meaning of the word Eigengrau in the title of Penelope Skinner's play is the colour seen by the eye in perfect darkness. This has some relevance but is not crucial information as the story begins to unfold.

Quoting the brief synopsis, ‘this is a play about London. About being lost in urban chaos. About a struggle to find meaning in a world of random encounters and connections'. Featuring four quintessential millennials – feminist activist researching and writing about rape, unemployed dipsy aspiring karaoke singer, overweight fast-food server dealing with personal grief and a one-dimensional, but well-paid, marketing man. And all of whom become intrinsically linked. Skinner writes with high pace and covers many scenarios that create a multi-dimensional dynamic between the four characters. On a day-to-day level, their desperation for a relationship, the mundane yet eternal problem of money, and simply paying the rent, inherent mental health issues and the predatory and destructive nature of friendships.
Georgie Staight directs with smart clarity and manages with deft ease the intricacies and nuances in the layered plot. Bex Kemp's clever and practical series of boxes manage to convey the many locations with simplicity and clarity.
Ultimately, Eigengrau enjoys some solid and neat performances from an excellent ensemble. Isabel Della-Porta as Cassie, the feminist, has incredible strength in her thoughts and conviction until such times as she is ‘seduced' by Mark, the Chiswick cad, credible and convincingly played by George Fletcher. Not the most appealing of characters but the dynamic with Callum Sharp as flatmate Tim is fascinating to watch as his issues are slowly revealed. Katie Buchholtz as Rose is a worryingly convincing fantasist and an uncomfortable predator in her pursuit of Mark. Many situations made for awkward viewing but ultimately add to the strength of the story, the powerful performances and crucial denouement of the piece.
While Eigengrau has, at times, difficult issues to deal with, it is also amusing with some excellently observed situations. And all with potent, original characterisations from a spot-on and highly tuned company.

Show Times:
Tues - Sat 7.30pm Sun 4pm
Sat Matinee Sept 21 at 3pm

Running time approx. 110 mins with an interval
Tickets:
£15 Full / £12.50 Concession
For tickets, click here: https://waterlooeast.ticketsolve.com/shows/873606223
Allocated seating. Strictly No Latecomers Admitted. 

16+ - strong language and scenes of a sexually explicit nature.
NO PERFORMANCES ON MONDAY 16 or WEDNESDAY 18 SEPT
 
SUNDAY 15 Sept at 4pm
This performance will be delivered at a slower pace for those learning English as a foreign language. Running time approx. 140 minutes with an interval. 






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