‘Subject To Requirement’ is an absurdist exploration of identity and self which, despite some nice touches, never really goes beyond mediocre. The direction works well with the limited space and technical facilities of the Free Festival, creating a sense of isolation within a crowd, and the interrogatory aspects of the Subject’s psyche are neatly drawn. However, Daniel Eccleston as the Subject doesn’t convey the required anguish and confusion powerfully enough and the script ultimately lacks anything to say about the creation of identity or society’s role in it. Without a core message, the play feels like absurdism for absurdism’s sake, and none of the ideas or performances on show here are strong enough to carry this off.

Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, until 25 Aug, 12.00pm.
tw rating 2/5 | [Andrew Bell]