Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Cast: Paul Thirkell, Finlay Bain, Lauren Jane Sheerman.
When the end of the world comes, you really do have to is start Living a Little, for who knows just what awaits you as the moments tick down, as the warning signs of imminent death come crashing too close to home and the final desperate leap of hope disappears off into the sunset. To do is surely the only sane thing to do in a world that has lost all reason.
The zombie apocalypse is one that has become engrained in the psyche, for whatever reason the almost nonsensical day of destruction is so palpable, so entrenched in the minds of all that it has become a global brand, television shows, dramas, experiences, films and graphic novels have devoted themselves to the genre explosion. There is surely no more room for anything else to get a foot hold in the variety on offer, surely nothing of worth anyway.
For the See It Off Theatre Company, the sight of the zombie is one that is actually refreshing and terrifically presented, the genius of the writing, the sense of the loss of structure in society whilst living it up in the clouds, in your own little kingdom with everything you could ask for, is one that makes Living a Little such a dynamic show to take in at this year’s Edinburgh Festival.
It is in the vigorous start in which the play grabs the attention of the audience at the New Town Theatre, the element of surprise, of believing the play is about to go one way and then without warning, the startling realisation that life is going to be a little more tense, virtually on the edge of the seats and ultimately treading a path that will surely only lead to hedonism or destruction.
All three actors on stage gave their absolute worth in their roles but it was perhaps to Finlay Bain’s mouthy, gobby but decent-hearted Rob that captures the play’s message, that no matter what you do in such circumstances, no matter how much you deny the world is ending, at some point you have to grab a baseball bat and take on the responsibility of putting things right.
A belter of a show, one in which the New Town Theatre is justifiably proud to be hosting, Living a Little and make sure that you see this funny, questioning and heart-rending production.
Ian D. Hall