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| Edinburgh : A&E : Theatre: Reviews |
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Theatre listings > Helmet Virtual surreality in very lively and original piece How often have you thought to yourself "if only”? If
only I’d turned left instead of right. If only I’d kept
my receipt. If only I’d chatted up the brunette instead of
the blonde. As each day presents its Set in a games shop on its last day of trading, Douglas Maxwell’s
Helmet combines a simple story and a clever concept together to
form a very lively and original piece. Tommy Mullins is Robbie,
not wanting to deal with the real world; real world not wanting to deal
with him. Robbie is that perennial customer in the shop who never
seems to go home, passing time by hiding in an electronic fantasy.
Ameet Chana is Sal, a man who is not exactly at the highest point
in his life. The play is acted out as a series of game “levels” set within a computer game screen, power bars show how much energy each character has left and hearts indicate the number of “lives” remaining. Helmet ranges from very funny to dramatic, sad and poignant, building in tension as the levels increase. Each time Sal or Robbie take one of life’s blows or something good happens, sound effects and a corresponding change in power level occur. When a life is lost, the scene restarts for Sal and Robbie to have another go at getting past the latest problem. Tommy and Ameet’s timing are both spot on, bringing each “death” to life in genuine computer game style. Excellent lighting, sound and projector effects combine to make it all come together. Geeks and technophobes alike should find this entertaining and a great
way to pass time and escape the real world for a while. Theatre listings >>
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