Producers, writers, actors are continually exploring what constitutes a theatrical experience and All That is Wrong is certainly that being, at times, an explosive exploration of a person's inner feelings. Traverse 2 is a perfect venue for a production like this as it is an intimate space where actors and audience are always in close proximity to one another.
With two actors, it is set on a bare stage. The lights go out, then one is projected onto a screen and a slide show begins, saturating the senses with photographs of protest slogans, setting the scene for the production.
Soon after, in silence, Koba Ryckewaert (who wrote the play) starts writing her inner thoughts in chalk on a blackboard floor. Gradually the whole floor is covered with blackboard sheets as she frenetically progresses from self-analytical comments to political statements enhanced by recordings of capitalists extolling the virtues of a recession.
As the play concludes, Zach Hatch, chooses poignant words, such as hunger, fear, and disperses them amongst the written dialogue on the board and then they pull the whole blackboard up and everything tumbles down, as if in acceptance of disempowerment.
Produced by the Belgium based company Ontroerend Goed, in collaboration with Drum Theatre, Plymouth, it is an adventurous piece. It could be construed as utterly self-indulgent, which it undoubtedly is, but it is important that our concepts of what constitutes a theatrical experience are being constantly challenged.
On at various times till 12 August