I never thought I’d find myself marvelling at the genius of a scene involving a space-hopper, but The Wardrobe Ensemble laid a minefield for all kinds of unexpected things, including Lady Chatterley and some extremely charismatic chairs. The writing sparkled: not an inch of redundant script, plus some moments of real poetry, made all the more poignant by being out of place within the snappy repartee. The dialogue incorporated stage directions, satirising the characters – and the very idea of characters – and scene changes – and plays. The story lines ran parallel like synchronised swimmers, with a potent sense of one collective, glitter-soaked, sexually-awkward voice emerging from the anarchy. The theatrical equivalent of popping candy: blissful, colourful, multi-sensory magic.

The Zoo, until 31 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 [Sarah Murphy]