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| Edinburgh : A&E : Theatre: Reviews |
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Theatre listings > Mickey The Torch Mickey 'the torch' is an insomniac night-watchman in a non-descript, empty depot. Arch Two of the Arches is an entirely appropriate venue, with its mud-grey wall forming the backdrop. A table, a chair, a bin and three black stage-blocks comprise the remainder of the set. During the first part of this quirky and murkily comic monologue, we are invited to share snippets of Mickey's history. He has a father who never spoke to him, and a grandmother who froze to death in her garden, whilst under Mickey's care. The bristles of an upturned, industrial broom become this old woman's head, and Mickey sets her spectacles atop to complete the image. After his death, his father's spectacles eventually keep hers company in a drawer, which invites itself to be opened by Mickey, who is lured into the darkness of some angry and grief-stricken childhood memories. As the piece develops, Mickey's character unfolds through his obsession with a neighbour's rubbish. He never has the nerve to approach her, but the content's of Elizabeth's bin, emptied on his kitchen table, become quite revealing of her lifestyle. The effect is both humorous and unsettling, as you begin to realise just how much might be known about you from your rubbish. The audience is lured into a dangerous pre-occupation with Elizabeth, and with the butcher she takes as a lover, so that for a while we forget to be concerned by the character who appears before us. By the end, it transpires that there is far more to Mickey's peculiar nature than the fact that he's working an unnecessary and unpaid shift this night, safe-guarding the emptiness of the depot from "it's fear of being filled". Adam P Tomkins delivers a strong performance of a fascinating
piece of writing. There is much in the stage-craft to justify his self-direction,
too. This should be seen, if you can make it to its final night, but be
thankful that it only lasts half an hour - Mickey is not someone you'd
like to spend longer with. Oh, and just be careful where you put your
rubbish in future. Theatre listings >>
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