An exceptional debut from the Mycelium Theatre Company
I hated science at school. For whatever reason, it was the one subject I could never get my head around. Subsequently, I was not sure what to expect going into A Microscopic Odyssey, which, as the title suggests, is a close up lens of our biological world. But even for someone who is historically STEM-averse, the Mycelium Theatre company’s debut show was nothing short of exceptional.
The show is a visual marvel. The design, by Enza Kim, bolstered some of the most incredibly intricate, imaginative effects I have seen on stage in a while. In a description of the company, the programme highlights the company’s passion “to preserve theatrical craftsmanship and analogue technologies as we move deeper into a digital age” and the show lives up to this claim absolutely. Some spectacular visuals are made onstage using only a projector and some stencils to bring attention to the similarities between our small and large natural world. Its approach to this is sensitive, creating a genuine sense of the delicacies of biology. It helps that this was accompanied by some really well considered sound choices by sound designers and composers Caleb Wilton and Charlie Jones. The movement, directed by Bianca Mikhaïl, is visceral. It plays well with the more whimsical elements of the play, bringing us out of the more tender moments into something physical. It’s a good reminder that the body, too, is a part of the natural world. All these components make for a piece that almost reads like an adult-contemporary My Neighbour Totoro, handling its themes with a childlike wonder.
At times, the show teetered on being too earnest for its own good, though these moments did overall feel well earnt. But moments of comedy, particularly during Weiss’s lecture, cut through this, giving the show balance, which it could do with a little more of. The plot takes a bit of a back seat, which is fine, especially considering its mosaic approach to exploring nature. Some storylines are never really explained, which isn’t necessarily needed, though some more callbacks to the show’s own narratives could help tie the piece together some more. Particularly, one that seemed to pertain to an abusive childhood felt a little underexplored and oversimplified.
The ensemble, though, are the breath of life in this piece. Each one handles every second on stage with precision and care, down to their movement of objects off and on stage. There was always something to watch. Elijah Bai Bangura was a particular standout from the ensemble, showcasing a really dynamic performance.
With a little tightening, this show has the capabilities to reach far and wide. A heavily detail oriented play, it’s well worth seeing in its current form anyway. If A Microscopic Odyssey is anything to go by, the Mycelium Theatre company are definitely one to watch.