A Thorough Exploration of OCD Fronted by a Talented Performance
Gooseneck Theatre Company debuts their brand new experimental play, Habits, at the Fringe. This is a play that explores OCD, and just how far that can frustrate someone when things don’t work in the way they hoped.
The play is written by Scott Strom, and is wonderfully metatheatrical. The writing is sound, and plays on the story stopping and starting to allow us to understand the frustrations of her OCD. The subject is handled tenderly, and becomes an important text in exploring the issue. Too often OCD is portrayed as a joke, playing on a stereotypical look at the issue, but this play handles it with grace. It takes a fresh approach and really impacts the audience with its exploration. The stylistic choices only enhance this, making it a worthwhile endeavour for this new company.
Estefany Perez puts in a powerful performance as Rita, who has tasked an off stage friend and stage manager, Charlie, to not let her leave the stage. Perez carries the play well and never waivers from her character. She controls the house lights well to break from the story and address the audience directly. It is done cleverly throughout and works to allow a raw exploration of the themes of the piece. The direction of Leo Batutis only enhances this. He manages to help Perez build the character well and ensure the audience are engaged from the first to the last moment.
This piece is experimental, and changeable throughout the run. It embraces its metatheatricality and is a solid starting point for this piece. The journey of the play is still in its infancy, and can at times feel messy. There is some lack of resolution and a lot of ideas. A slight simplification of the piece could help really explore some of the themes to a higher extent, and allow it to thrive.
Gooseneck Theatre is an exciting company creating important work. The Scottish Based company are just starting on their career and will be one to watch in the coming years.
Gooseneck theatre company
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Just Out Of The Box at Just The Tonic at The Caves
Dates: 20th – 30th August
Time: 22.40
Ticket prices: £14.00 / concessions £12.00
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 16+ (Guideline)