Foreign Bodies, a tantalizing tale set in India, where you cannot judge a book by its cover, and where your first impression can be dangerous.
PERFORMANCES: 4
COSTUMES: 4
SETS: 4
LIGHTING: 4
SOUND: 4
DIRECTION: 3.5
STAGE MANAGEMENT: 4
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
A warning first and foremost: if you are not into immersive theatre spaces and non traditional venues, this show may not be for you. Prepare your backsides to sit on brightly coloured and decorated cushions inspired by India, as you are immersed in the show from a lower vantage point- sitting on the floor. There is no need to worry you will become distracted by yourself, and others around you squirming in their cushions, as you will be immediately drawn into this exotic performance.
Foreign Bodies explores two people, from two different worlds, and what happens when they meet. Set across the backdrop of India, during the 2008 bombings in Mumbai, Martin Morcombe, an Australian journalist comes face to face with his secret desire, Arizona Snow, a world famous actress and ex-porn star. First impressions of each other lead to a major argument, as Martin interviews Arizona for his magazine, and as they begin to learn more and more about each other, they realize that first impressions can change, and that nothing should be taken at face value.
The show opens on a silk-screened hotel room in Mumbai, as our male protagonist Martin stumbles through the audience with food poisoning cramps, tearing down the sheets of silk to set the scene on the hotel room. The space is well decorated with Indian and Asian inspired items, brightly lit and they make the best of the cramped space. The Owl and Cat Theatre’s slogan is “Small Space Big Ideas”, and Foreign Bodies lives up to this ideology.
I don’t know if this show has presumed too much prior knowledge from a well educated public, but here’s the back story into what went down in India at the time. In November 2008, 10 Pakistani members of an Islamic militant organization carried out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks that would last for three days. 164 people were killed and at least 308 were injured. At many of the locations targeted by attackers, both foreign and local hostages were held, and unfortunately many were killed: this is what Foreign Bodies references as one of the major plot points.
It’s a pity this isn’t used as more of a driving plot point: in a society that has reached its cultural boiling point, this was a tragic and unfortunately very memorable time in India’s history, and in this show it is only used as a side bar to the main plot- the two characters notice emergency services outside and distress on the streets from the balcony, and smoke and flames rising in the distance but this is merely background noise to the show and the central conflict between the two characters. The bombing tragedy is only revisited again as the motivation to end the show, to create heightened conflict and a testing scenario for the characters.
But because this ends the story, and not a resolution for one or either of the characters, the audience is left feeling a little dissatisfied to not see the story end, or for either character to gain any sort of resolution. While they both learned things about themselves or each other, we don’t find out how this affects the characters lives or what happens to them next. This certainly left me feeling a little distance from the characters.
The story by Andy Harmsen is wickedly funny and a really great show. Even in the most awkward or tense moments, the humour cuts through and the audience has a great time watching. While there are some things that could be improved, this is a fantastic show and a great first run of it, and I really enjoyed the passion, the clashing perspectives and the opinions the show brought to life.
There is definitely an element of gender roles and feminism to the play, with something to be said about the strong, successful role of Arizona Snow, and how uncomfortable Arizona’s success makes Martin. Throughout the first part of the show, Martin is embarrassed by his attraction to Arizona, as well as threatened and uncomfortable with the idea that she created her own success, future and wealth (however, some of his discomfort does come from the nature of her work).
Direction by Chris Baldock was clean and well thought out- for an Australian premiere show, there is no precedent to follow or previous inspiration, which makes for an exciting and creative time in bringing to life these words for the first time.
The performances by Alan Chambers and Marika Marosszeky were dedicated and engaging, with only a few moments with dropped accents and a few lines that felt forced. Both performers were powerful, charming, sexy and awkward where required, and commanded the stage well with a strong presence and conviction in their performance.
Overall this was a fantastic first run of Foreign Bodies, and in talking to the playwright and the team after the show, I cannot wait to see where it goes next. This unique new Australian play is not to be missed, and it is a thoroughly enjoyable and thrilling night at the theatre- go with open minds, and prepared bodies for your seat on the floor of this dynamic show.
Foreign Bodies is playing until 31st October at The Owl and Cat Theatre in Richmond.
This article first appeared at: http://www.theatrepeople.com.au/foreign-bodies/ on 26 October 2015.