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Tissue

One thing for sure, is that there will be a lot more people watering basil in their underwear.

14 Nov 2016 12:00

Victoria Wyatt

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Performing Arts

Taryn Ryan, Ann-Marie Biagioni and Elijah Melvin in Tissue. Image by Matthew Lister via The Blue Room Theatre.

Pornography is everywhere. Maybe even in YOUR browser history… unless you use the Incognito Window. Insert winky face here as it is going to be that type of review!

Tissue is an investigation into how pornography affects the lives of young Aussies. It explores the gaps between what we have been told we should want, and what we crave in actuality – the difference between shame and privacy and intimacy and entertainment.

Tissue is thus not for the faint hearted.

As a sucker for loud and interesting music, the opening was a complete winner. Contemporary and in your face right from the get go, it was obvious that the deviser/performers were attempting to take us to places not normally explored in live theatre land, certainly not with such bold and open manoeuvres anyway.

Also refreshing was to see the modicum of consideration that went into the costumes, or lack thereof. Stage underwear is notoriously more often than not hideous – either wildly understated or ridiculously over the top. These were by no means subtle but were certainly sexy while allowing the actors to feel somewhat covered and comfortable (hopefully) at the same time.

The staging was simple but so so clever, and allowed the small studio space to be used to its full extent. Blue Room shows are typically great at this, but this was the best I’ve seen.

The dialogue is fast, but I am not sure about the appropriateness of the repeated use of multiple voices on the same line, as the jury is still out as to whether it was effective or distracting. The constant staccato and frenetic delivery of lines needed a few more pauses for the words to truly resonate with the audience, so they could fully digest both the wit, and the pain displayed in front of them, but the script is so highly relevant, ‘on fleek’ if you will, with todays audience.

Love and lust, life and routine, distractions and masturbation, affection and seduction, the reality of the soft and warm person in front of you versus the perfection of the dream on screen, are all dissected and explored.

Tissue is the science of angles and how they can literally enhance or deflate relationships. It is an examination of love and relationships presented on a different plate, different menu than we expect, and that is good. Love it or hate it this is language and these are situations we are familiar with, and to put them in plain sight for people to ponder and discuss can only lead to a closer reality between the lure of anonymity some seek and the closeness craved by and between all humans.

One thing for sure, is that there will be a lot more people watering basil in their underwear.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Tissue

Co-Direcotrs: Samantha Maclean, Timothy Green
Deviser/Performers: Elijah Melvin, Taryn Ryan, Ann-Marie Biagioni

8 – 26 November 2016
The Blue Room Theatre

Recommended for ages 15+

Victoria Wyatt

About the Author

Victoria Wyatt has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town.