‘Mime River’

Press, 10 February 1986, Page 4

‘Mime River’

“Mime River,” for the Festival of Fringe Theatre at the Grand Hall, Arts Centre. Sunday, February 9. Reviewed by Michael O’Brien.

“Mime River” presented an evening of superb entertainment and genuine fun. From the initial mouthings of a frustrated artist who could not be heard, he had his audience “wowing” and gaspiong to the end.

Great walls of glass and a heavy locked door restrained the solo performer as he attemped to make contact with his audience. It was with a burst of relief to all that he finally touched and spoke. In the simple shaking of a hand and a “Hi! How are you tonight?" he created the bond which drew all together. He “wanted to touch someone,” to “show us feelings we all have,” and he did this in a playful spirit.

One of the funniest routines saw Mime River coping with wayward and unwieldy bodyparts that refused to respond to normal motor control. His

facial contortions and errant eyeballs were only slightly eclipsed by his troublesome and rubberlike tongue. Then came the juggling lesson to “beat the blues” based on the premise that it is impossible to juggle and be depressed at the same time. As a contrast to the former sketch we became aware of the intrusive nature of talk and the fact that words often get in the way of true communication. The patter was fun but more so the furious frowns, the raisings of eyebrows, the wide, soulful grins and the stares of quizzical wonder. Perhaps it is a measure of his talent that he made three-ball juggling look easy and one-ball juggling look difficult and skilful. In his fire-eater sketch, too, he removed the mystery and generated the humour by drawing us in for a lesson. He made light of his artistry as he “performed” with a cigarette but ended with spectacular flame bursts of the real thing.

His riotous encore taught some quick pointers for beating the

blitz with balloon sculpture. He blew and shaped in seconds, transforming himself from insect to bunny to high churchman. His final present of a perfect poodle to one the youngest members of the audience was a gem. The evening began with the cutting edge of The Troupers, who performed a number of unconnected songs and sketches. Though sometimes patchy in performance they examined our ills with high humour and biting insight.

One of the best sketches was their opening satirical piece about the Goodies and Serviles Tax set in Roman times and starring such notables as Annus Hercus and Devious Taxus Douglas. Others were often sobering and thought-provoking like the I.R.A. Paddy’s “Maggie a Warning to You” and the chilling tale about a young Chinese immigrant’s education by his cruel peers and the town pervert. The “Fringe” festival will be a great success if this standard of entertainment is sustained. There is fun and education to be had by all.