Review: LIGHTS OVER TESCO CAR PARK, New Diorama
By: Charlie Wilks Jul. 05, 2018
When researching content for their show, Poltergeist Theatre were put in touch with Robert, a man convinced he's been contacted by aliens. He saw them lighting up the sky above Tesco car park, and now he's saying that one's coming to stay in his spare room.
With the help of a latex alien mask, an enormous amount of flying saucers and a host of abduction stories, the theatre company are working out, along with the audience, whether or not to believe him.
The concept may seem intellectual and complicated, but it really isn't. Poltergeist Theatre is a misbehaving company that seem to have a keen eye for detail, and have created a show that has a natural flow, lots of humour, audience interaction and many other clever moments.
From starting with a sing-along to Busted's Year 3000, to eating flying saucers and having a little boogie at the end, this one-hour performance is a pure delight from start to finish. It's very rare to see a company so young be so brave in their creative decisions, but in doing so they have created a show that it bold, curious and entertaining.
Formally inventive, I was really impressed by the overall rawness of the piece. The company never rely on fancy tech, instead they use one another to tell the story and it's this ensemble-led approach that adds to the story's charm. A phones flash is turned on and then covered with different objects and body parts to give off various lighting effects.
It's these little touches that add to the pieces wonder. Credit needs to be given to this company for their thrifty use of limited resources. And after leaving the auditorium I'm left with the belief that this company are going to soon be leaders within the industry.
When this piece lands in Edinburgh you have to see it. It's guaranteed to be a definite highlight and something totally unique in the festival.
Lights Over Tesco Car Park at the Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh 1 - 27 August
Photo courtesy of Poltergeist Theatre
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