Fringe Review: 2100: A Space Novelty

Reviewed at the Bakehouse on 26 February 2019

Presented by Cut Mustard Theatre

The year is 2100. The Earth has been entirely obliterated and Humankind along with it – except for one man, American Astronaut Captain James Briggs. Thus begins Cut Mustard’s space opera/odyssey 2100: A Space Novelty – and novel it certainly is! This is physical theatre done superbly.

Cut Mustard Theatre is a truly international theatre company based in Bristol, France, Norway, Australia and South Korea, comprising graduates of Ecole Jacques Lecoq. They are mimes, clowns and experts at physical theatre.

The cast of five (Sam Dugmore, Tuva Moen, Myung-Jin You, Jessica Clough-MacRae and Kristoffer Egset) all give strong performances with wonderfully nuanced touches of humour throughout. Timing from these performers is excellent and spot-on. There are many instances where one actor will mime an action, while another vocally matches it (often not even looking at the mime artist).

Dugmore is perfect as the stereotypical hero who often takes himself too seriously and lets the audience see very clearly the man’s foibles. Moen is certainly combat ready as the alien, Botilda and has a great, almost pantomime ‘boy’ stance that works so well for this type of ‘over the top’ production. Looking like the love child of Star Wars‘ Emperor and Ono Yoko, You is delightfully villainous as the Dark Lord and has a most magnificent singing voice.

As ‘Multiple Characters’, Clough-MacRae and Egset almost blast everyone else out of the Solar System, with their array of verbal sound effects and glorious robotics. It should be pointed out that Egset, in particular, must have the most malleable face in the Universe.

The storyline is rather confusing, but when physical control and expertise such as these five have is on display in full force, who cares! It’s the sheer skill of these highly talented actors that matters.

Venue: Bakehouse Theatre
Season: Until 2 March 2019
Duration: 60 min
Tickets: $10 – $25