http://www.artshub.com.au/au/news-article/reviews/performing-arts/unit-4-185871?sc=1
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Unit 4
Dislocate, regarded as one of Australia’s leading independent theatre ensembles, was founded by Kate Fryer and Geoff Dunstan as a vehicle to create risk-taking physical theatre works that break boundaries by combining highly skilled circus feats with contemporary narratives. The company’s latest work, Unit 4, is a physical theatre piece that’s by turns charming, disarming, and extremely moving.
Combining dance, aerial work, acrobatics, sight gags and slapstick, the work tells the various stories – happy, sad and otherwise – of the people who have lived in a particular unit in an apartment block that’s scheduled for demolition. We see the life of the unit over five generations of tenants, from about the 1950s to the 1990s, approximately. For one section we are definitely in 1977 – we hear the death of Elvis Presley announced on the radio.
There are three major pieces of scenery/props – the sofa/bed (with different layers of coverings and detachable arms), the red door (that is not only lockable but tilts and spins) and a large red table that also functions as a bed.
The amazing cast of three (Geoff Dunstan, Kate Fryer and Alexandra Harrison) are seemingly boneless; infinitely flexible and stretchable. Some of the time they act as removalists, carting in/out various tables, chairs and other items. Much fun is had with needing to use a ladder to change the wonky light globe in a large ceiling lampshade (the cord of which is mysteriously flexible and retractable in length). Sometimes there is the classic silent movie slapstick of getting thwacked (or just missing being hit) by the ladder or other items, and the performers take great fun, using circus tumbling/balancing, to reach the light globe. Hup!
The opening sequence becomes quite macabre. A loving husband is looking after his very sick wife. However his attentions are distracted by a visiting carpet deliverer who tries to kidnap the wife by rolling her in a carpet. Split-second timing for rolls and the double drinking of tea, wonderful balancing on/off the sofa, the carpet person going to cut off the wife’s feet with a huge cleaver... all ending with the sad passing of the wife and the grieving husband.
Later, there is another extraordinary section where a woman lies very ill in bed (we hear the ominous ticking and beeps of assorted medical equipment and an amplified heartbeat) as she recalls her happy life with her lover. This section ends sadly with the machines stopping and the lover closing the book of photos she was perusing.
There is a quasi-slapstick, desperate solo for Dunstan where he is trying to kill himself – overdosing on prescription drugs, trying to throw himself out the window - but nothing works, so he tries to hang himself using the electrical cord and then electrocute himself. Nothing works. It’s an amazing and showstopping routine.
Another absolutely delightful section, earlier in the piece, is the shaky elderly couple having afternoon tea who reveal their younger selves for a passionate, flying acrobatic pas de deux and some marvellous dancing.
All this is contrasted with the very 1970s, athletic pas de deux for an amorous couple – except that he never really looks at her and the flowers are not for her.
Incredibly fine-tuned performances in a wonderful, thoroughly enjoyable show that enchants the imagination. Memories within a building really do live on.
Rating: Four stars
Unit 4 by Dislocate
Directed by Kate Fryer
Performed by Geoff Dunstan, Kate Fryer and Alexandra Harrison
Music and sound: Chris Lewis
Set design: Michael Baxter
Lighting: Eduard Ingles
Costumes: Harriet Oxley
Dramaturgy: Vincet Crowley
Props: Michael Baxter and Matt Wilson
Running time: One hour (approx) no interval
The Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre
September 28 – October 15
Combining dance, aerial work, acrobatics, sight gags and slapstick, the work tells the various stories – happy, sad and otherwise – of the people who have lived in a particular unit in an apartment block that’s scheduled for demolition. We see the life of the unit over five generations of tenants, from about the 1950s to the 1990s, approximately. For one section we are definitely in 1977 – we hear the death of Elvis Presley announced on the radio.
There are three major pieces of scenery/props – the sofa/bed (with different layers of coverings and detachable arms), the red door (that is not only lockable but tilts and spins) and a large red table that also functions as a bed.
The amazing cast of three (Geoff Dunstan, Kate Fryer and Alexandra Harrison) are seemingly boneless; infinitely flexible and stretchable. Some of the time they act as removalists, carting in/out various tables, chairs and other items. Much fun is had with needing to use a ladder to change the wonky light globe in a large ceiling lampshade (the cord of which is mysteriously flexible and retractable in length). Sometimes there is the classic silent movie slapstick of getting thwacked (or just missing being hit) by the ladder or other items, and the performers take great fun, using circus tumbling/balancing, to reach the light globe. Hup!
The opening sequence becomes quite macabre. A loving husband is looking after his very sick wife. However his attentions are distracted by a visiting carpet deliverer who tries to kidnap the wife by rolling her in a carpet. Split-second timing for rolls and the double drinking of tea, wonderful balancing on/off the sofa, the carpet person going to cut off the wife’s feet with a huge cleaver... all ending with the sad passing of the wife and the grieving husband.
Later, there is another extraordinary section where a woman lies very ill in bed (we hear the ominous ticking and beeps of assorted medical equipment and an amplified heartbeat) as she recalls her happy life with her lover. This section ends sadly with the machines stopping and the lover closing the book of photos she was perusing.
There is a quasi-slapstick, desperate solo for Dunstan where he is trying to kill himself – overdosing on prescription drugs, trying to throw himself out the window - but nothing works, so he tries to hang himself using the electrical cord and then electrocute himself. Nothing works. It’s an amazing and showstopping routine.
Another absolutely delightful section, earlier in the piece, is the shaky elderly couple having afternoon tea who reveal their younger selves for a passionate, flying acrobatic pas de deux and some marvellous dancing.
All this is contrasted with the very 1970s, athletic pas de deux for an amorous couple – except that he never really looks at her and the flowers are not for her.
Incredibly fine-tuned performances in a wonderful, thoroughly enjoyable show that enchants the imagination. Memories within a building really do live on.
Rating: Four stars
Unit 4 by Dislocate
Directed by Kate Fryer
Performed by Geoff Dunstan, Kate Fryer and Alexandra Harrison
Music and sound: Chris Lewis
Set design: Michael Baxter
Lighting: Eduard Ingles
Costumes: Harriet Oxley
Dramaturgy: Vincet Crowley
Props: Michael Baxter and Matt Wilson
Running time: One hour (approx) no interval
The Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre
September 28 – October 15
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