The joy of theatre is the sharing of a common experience. The typical 9 to 5, an experience that many share. Typically multi-tasking and working towards tight deadlines, it can very easily be forgotten as to just how hilarious work place scenarios can be. In a world whereby there is so much seriousness, talented duo Trygve Wakenshaw and Barnie Duncan revel in life’s lighter moments.
Courtesy of Soho Theatre.
Different Party uplifts from the get go, Wakenshaw and Duncan suited and booted invite us into their office-centric world. Filing cabinets, a whiteboard, a desktop and analogue clock work hand in hand to establish the conventional office setting, each playing their part in adding a dose of silliness to the evening. Poking fun at the brovado often witnessed within these clinical environments, the duo successfully dismantle this by presenting two down to earth males just trying to make a living.
The evening basks in its hilarity, the audience left with no other choice but to follow the duo’s absurd train of thought. The office environment, now a playground trivialises the mundane. A record of coffees that are made plays on the nation’s obsession with caffeine, filing cabinets filled with reams of coloured paper beautifully shroud a characterful environment with a kaleidoscope of colour. The analogue clock, a striking feature masks Wakenshaw’s face in a skit showcasing the magic of utilising the inanimate to animate. The duo cleverly incorporate clowning to continually ensure the audience are the ones with the upper hand. Wakenshaw’s wide eyed, innocent persona contrasts wonderfully with Duncan’s confidence, the duo navigating the work day with their hunoirous interactions.
The key to the evening is the meticulousness of every joke made. Seemingly off the cuff and laid back, Wakenshaw and Duncan effortlessly have the audience laughing from start to finish. The playground established is fun, the element of play a brilliant one. Playing around with sayings such as “I’m underneath a mountain of work” to “I’m just trying to get on top of things” accentuates the evening’s ridiculousness. Utilising a shortbread biscuit to depict smoking is a perfect example of creating magic within the mundane. Embodying a canine energy plays brilliantly to juxtapose the upright, stoic manner often associated with office environments.
Different Party is a masterclass in how to utilise play to craft an effortless evening of humour. 5/5
Review written by Lucy Basaba.
Different Party is currently showing until Saturday 20th January 2018 at the Soho Theatre as part of this year’s London International Mime Festival. To find out more about the production, visit here…
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