Walk in dirt

‘Walk in Dirt’ is by the AWGIE Award-winning playwright Stephen House. It is presented by the Professional Collective in the PICA Performance Space, James Street, Northbridge. Performances until Sunday 19^th February (but no show on Friday 17^th February). The 55-minute shows have curtain up at 9.30 pm.

 

 

      The air is filled with throbbing bass music (George Kallika). It is midnight on a clear night, the town hall clock is striking and a lone figure (Stephen House) walks down his road. Opening his soul, he tells us of his loneliness and how life was once much happier. He takes us back to his youth and the profound effect of religion on his future.

      As he wanders the streets House comes across various neighbourhood characters, some very strange and threatening, others extremely bigoted and a few who are just plain pathetic.

       By the end of his walk in the dirt, we feel we know intimately the locals of the area.

 

 

This is a completely different exposé of life, to that of ‘Appalling Behaviour’ which last year that won the admiration of the audiences. The story is told in a beautifully, flawless poetic style. Again directed with immense feeling and atmosphere by Geoff Crowhurst – sadly now passed on – this production embraces several characters, all brought vividly to life by the solo actor. With simple costumes (Rick McGill) House is transformed body and psyche into the individual.

There are poignant times when the charismatic performer brings laughs, swiftly followed by feelings of despair for his characters.

A remarkable and touching performance.