Stinking Hot Trash

Isabelle Carney has considerable presence and a warm, disciplined physicality which she uses to explore the notion of the trash which we insist on keeping in our lives. There isn’t a narrative, although the words are carefully chosen and for most of the show there are fast paced, funny moments which just hang in the air. There are one or two items which reappear including the impact of the woman who unties dogs outside supermarkets and then ties them up outside another supermarket, her relationship with the mid-century modern chair and the trench-coated search for the missing Jessica. The show is energetic, chaotic and funny and almost gains coherence in the light of a final personal revelation complete with a well realised transformation scene.

Given the relatability of the personal disclosure, it is a pity that it was left so late in the show. Much of the prior material would have been more memorable and even funnier with that context provided.

There is excellent audio-visual support including short films with a hint of Charlie Chaplin which introduce the show and provide the finale. The music is sensitively chosen and well realised.

The audience laughed and sighed and revelled in Isabelle Carney’s lightening humour and unexpected insights.

Ruth Richter