Issy Cory
Erin and Steph have escaped from a party and are collecting themselves upstairs before heading back down to join the celebration. Whilst they’re up there, the existential dread of returning to the dancefloor makes them spiral, and strange things start to occur…
A tale about a fish, meets robo-cleaning, followed by fatal amounts of vodka mixed with gin. Erin and Steph keep saying they’ll head back down to the party, but something terrifying keeps getting in their way. The audience are left to imagine what the source of this surrealist horror is, communicated through voiceovers, contemporary dance, and fish heads, of course.
The variety of movement is impressive. There are snippets built into the dialogue shared between Erin and Steph, as well as being featured separately. The repeated dance sequence after they’ve cleaned up their birthday mess is exhaustingly innovative.
Evidently the two performers are talented movers, both throwing themselves wholeheartedly into each arrangement. Their commitment is palpable, desperately conveying their own petrified states.
However, horror is a stretch. There is no doubt that the characters are horrified, but of what? Disconnected scenes prevent us from ever getting to the root of their conflict, and thus the story is far too ambiguous to warrant our investment.
At one point we are posed the question of whether their fear comes from the party itself, or whether it is just their own quirkiness that scares them. Unfortunately, neither of these concepts are explored deeply enough for them to take centre stage as the characters’ motivation.
The aesthetic of Birthday Fish is alluring, with pink metallics and fishy-themed props, fused with the typical chaos of a birthday party. Half-eaten party rings and gift bags litter the space, clearly signalling the world we are in.
It is a shame that the substance of the show’s narrative does not align with the noticeably detailed staging. With such an inventive soundtrack underpinning the production, it has promise to be something very intriguing. Surface-level interactions between the two leads also prevent a cultivation of authenticity.
Absurdist theatre is brilliant when done well, but Birthday Fish is still swimming in shallow waters.
Recommended Drink: Own-brand vodka.
You can catch Birthday Fish at Greenside @ George Street – Ivy Studio on Aug 24 at 14:00. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
Jake Mace
