Extraordinary and intelligent performance
Showmanism! at the Ustinov Studio, Bath until December 10 is a mesmerising piece of theatre unlike anything you have ever seen.
It is enthralling, a feast for the eyes and ears.
Performed by the extraordinarily talented, innovative and captivating Dickie Beau (who played Ariel in the recent The Tempest at the Ustinov) it is 100 minutes of sheer theatrical delight and dismay.
What is it all about?
On the surface it is Beau’s magnificent journey through the history of theatre and acting, using taped interviews with luminaries including Sir Ian Mckellen and Fiona Shaw who he lip syncs, word for word, with the most convincing expressions.
He really is in character and the lip syncing is so accurate, he does not miss a beat. You could hear a pin drop in the audience.
There is something spellbinding about hearing the voices of these iconic theatrical giants set to the actions of a gifted performer on stage.
The show is also great fun, we get a bit of Cilla Black on Blind Date and Ru Paul as well, Beau is a master of his art and there is something very new, exciting and contemporary about him, young people will love this.
The sound and music is stunning at the Ustinov for this performance. It is crystal clear and resounding as a backdrop to this new theatrical piece, which both challenges and delights.
This is no ordinary one-man show, Beau’s energy and vitality is acrobatic at times.
Apart from his extraordinary vitality on stage ¡Showmanism! is a visual delight.
The glorious Ustinov is transformed into a theatrical cave, with the skull from Hamlet lit up and talking, random props around the floor and ceiling, including an orange tree in a mud bath and various TV monitors.
We see Beau stripping and unstripping, jumping on a ladder in a space suit, his extraordinary mime techniques and movement all set to the words of famous actors and theatre experts.
It is such an intelligent performance, so brilliantly created and performed by Dickie Beau it would be sinful to miss this extraordinary piece of theatre on our doorstep here in Bath.
You may come out wondering what it was all about but every sense will burst into life as you witness what is a most unusual and thrilling piece of performance theatre as part of the acclaimed Deborah Warner opening season at the Ustinov.
You will be missing out if you don’t go.
¡Showmanism! continues at the Ustinov Studio, Bath, until Saturday, December 10.
For tickets visit www.theatreroyal.org.uk or ring the box office 01225 448844.