Joy Watters reviews 'a thoughtful and challenging piece'.
In an intriguing and disturbing devised piece, Dundee Rep youth theatres ably demonstrate the important role that young people have to play in Scottish theatre by examining the role of the state and the response of the people.
A thoughtful and challenging piece set in the future, Experiment 01: Abandoned shows a group of teenagers evolving into activists as they decide to fight against state control, which dictates their lives must be a series of experiments.
The audience is bussed to Dundee’s Mills Observatory, a brilliant choice of venue for this site-specific piece. The audience are the official observers of Experiment 1 by the National Social Research Institute, witnessing the group deciding to make their own choices. Guided through the building and a series of experiments, they finally catch a glimpse of the heavens, bringing a new dimension to events.
Twenty-two performers from Rep Youth Theatres’ 14-16s and 16-18s describe their activities and discuss their doubts with each other before abandoning the social experiment. Organising resistance is fraught with arguments over leadership and the way forward. Somewhat timeous stuff given national affairs, it may be set in the future but has much to say about today.
There are some excellent performances from the young people, showing the dilemmas they face. Singing and music effectively underpin their journey as they seek the observers’ help.
Devised and written by the company and directed by Gemma Nicol and Lisa Williamson, the commitment of the young people in creating and performing is laudable.
Experiment 01: Abandoned was performed by Dundee Rep Youth Theatres at Mills Observatory. The run has ended.
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