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ED2013 3/5 Reviews ED2013 Theatre Reviews
The Trial (We Keep You Company)
By Andrew Pollard | Published on Monday 19 August 2013
If you’re familiar with Kafka’s work then you can, to some extent, anticipate what this is likely to involve. Those who aren’t should prepare for to be disconcerted. In ‘The Trial’ we witness Joseph K’s arrest and induction into a labyrinthine and maddening bureaucratic process, that threatens his liberty and his life. The perverse subtext of pornography only augments this nightmare, while the sterile white and padded walls all around you give the distinct impression of being trapped in a cave with madness. The performances are assured, convincing and pleasingly disturbing. Though, to me, the play’s characterisation is too ambiguous and Kafka’s message is unclear, as a mood piece it excels. This is, no doubt, an effectively discordant midnight experience.
Just the Tonic at The Caves, until 11 Aug, 11.59pm.
tw rating 3/5 | [Andrew Pollard]