Is Anybody Out There?

Is Anybody Out There? is part of one of The Actors’ Hub’s Fringe World Seasons. 4x4x4 features four shows over four nights a week, over four weeks of the festival, with the shows performed in repertory. What I hadn’t realised in my earlier review of a show in this season is that the shows all feature the same five performers. Kudos to this strong young ensemble, as well as director/writer/teacher/mentor Amanda Crewes.

The number of different shows performed by these performers would be impressive in any circumstances - but becomes even more impressive when you realise that these actors are also performing on occasion in The Actors’ Hub’s Naughty Nights at Nine. Is Anybody Out There? is also particularly challenging in that it has a huge amount of dialogue, and I imagine that its effective presentational style would make it a difficult show to learn.

Is Anybody Out There? kicks off with some of cinema’s most famous romantic moments, explores the notion of the modern fairytale and looks at the dark side of falling in love in the modern world. We also are presented with the chivalric romance of Tristan and Isolde - a reminder that even the most romantic tales can be far from the perfect romance.

Tackling some very dark issues including the constraints of the patriarchy, domestic violence, and the ongoing abuse of women and children, there are also some moments that are charming and clever. The cardboard props in the legend portion is a lovely touch and the physical challenges mastered by this cast are really impressive. A mix of docudrama, verbatim theatre and expert physicality, it runs slightly longer than advertised but maintains its energy throughout.

Dressed in gendered pink and blue, this cast work beautifully together, with seamless transitions, expert pace and a lovely presence. Andrew Dunstan, Ava Lys, Ashana Murphy, Tia Cullen and Stephane Latchman play a myriad of distinct characters and narrate with sincerity and authority.

An interesting comment on modern romance and a very sobering experience on the evening before Valentine’s Day.

Kimberley Shaw

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