16 July 2009
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Reviews

Zero Degrees and Drifting

Zero Degrees and Drifting - review

Emma Hardy
Unlimited Theatre are one of the more interesting theatre companies to have emerged in Britain over the past few years. A dedicated team who value their productions, their method of scripting entails a dynamic, devoted and exciting creative process.

Zero Degrees and Drifting

Venue: Contact Theatre, Oxford Road

Date: Tues 26 Oct

Company: Unlimited Theatre

All of that, plus their unconventional approach (they never, for example, allow for an interval), allows for the creation of engaging plays and affecting performances.

Despite sitting through an over-long and, quite frankly, off-putting pre-performance lecture by John Spooner, the director of Zero Degrees and Drifting, the show could not fail to entertain and affect me.

Zero Degrees and Drifting is a cohesive, atmospheric and affecting piece. Set on the eroding cliff edge of an English coastal town, the play is about the people who dwell there, living in the antithesis of city life. Each distinct character is extremely well developed – a clear indication of the depths of the creative journey taken by the writers – and truly alive on stage. Each has a story of their own to tell within the greater scope of the play: a young couple whose lives are turned upside down by the arrival of a beautiful stranger; the curator of a museum that is falling into the sea; and a pirate DJ moored offshore, broadcasting missing persons adverts around the clock.

The piece is not without its glitches – the DJ’s story, for example, does not feel as worthwhile when compared to those of the other four characters, and his missing persons broadcasts feel strung out towards the end.

By far the most interesting character is the museum curator, played by Elizabeth Bresbode with a mix of affecting poignancy and comedy. Her tightly scripted performance as the last remaining staff member at 'The Museum of Everything That Matters' shines out, despite fierce contention from the physically outstanding performance of Theron U. Schmidt as the mute stranger.

Well chosen musical links, inspired set design and a deep sense of theatricality mixed with real life dramatic tension make this play a must see.

last updated: 28/10/04

Have Your Say

John Newton-Webb
I just saw this show and was very disappointed by it. It seems to me that a lot of theatre being produced at the moment is relying more on concept than on real depth and truth. This was a real triumph of concept over content. Ideas were strung out meaninglessly, metaphors were mixed and from early on I couldn't care less about any of the characters (except sometimes the DJ). The different theatrical techniques jarred rather severely and led to irritating inconsistencies. It's about time someone remembered that there's nothing wrong woth a little naturalism from time to time.

Lyndsey Jackson
I'm afraid i have to strongly disagree with most of your review, especially regarding the museum curator. they had such a wonderful scope with that theme and the actress, yet she failed to reach any kind of level other than a badly performed stereotype, which in turn made a mockery of the fantastic ideas based in this museum. i didn't see any affecting poignancy and i certainly didn't feel it was a must see production. i became annoyed at them trying to cram as many theatre conventions into one show, and felt myslef comparing it to the work of GCSE drama students who try too much too soon. i was shocked as the script was very well crafted and Unlimited normally hit the nail on the head, but all i could see were a group of actors clinging to some kind of attempt at avante garde theatre, never quite succeeding to convince me, or the people i went with that they had done anything remotely interesting with what seemed to be an incredible idea. hats off to Ms Schmidt though, an enthralling and captivating physical performance that deserves much more credit than it seems to be getting. i'm genuinely sad to say i was clock watching after 20 mins and when i normally would have stayed to try and have a quick chat with the cast, i found myself scarpering out if the theatre before my seat was cold. but thtas just my opinion!