Destroyed Room, The

The Destroyed Room takes its inspiration from Jeff Wall’s famous photograph, which shows a ransacked room, where every item of furniture has been torn up and destroyed. What happened? Read more …

It begins with what seems to be the recording of a debate, as guests gather to digest world events. They sit among potted plants and standard lamps, discussing the things they have witnessed and debating the ethics of watching. Around them, cameras film their every word and every reaction, beaming them live onto a big screen. As the debate intensifies, slowly and as if in a dream, the atmosphere begins to change.

The Destroyed Room is about the profusion of lenses, which bring the world right into our rooms but also keep it at a distance. It’s about what we see and what we turn away from. And what’s coming.

The critical consensus

Vanishing Point’s exploration of how we relate to images of distress – as engaged observers or callous voyeurs – is compelling and daring.

(*) Mark Fisher, The Guardian, 28/02/2016

More provocation than play, its exposure of all our liberal prejudices and fears in close-up like this nevertheless makes for an intense and discomforting experience.

(*) Neil Cooper, Coffee-Table Notes, 29/02/2016

Visionary, perfectly-realised.

(*) Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman, 29/02/2016

A brutal critique of an ailing society.

(*) Gareth K Vile, The List, 01/03/2016

This is big, electric stuff – go and see it, and then ask yourself some difficult questions.

(*) Irina Glinski, TVBomb, 01/03/2016

In typically contrary fashion, Vanishing Point’s artistic director Matthew Lenton has chosen to explore the role of imagery in our lives almost entirely through words.

(*) (*) Allan Radcliffe, 02/03/2016

Although nicely acted and designed, there is a distinct lack of depth and conviction in the piece.

Mark Brown, Scottish Stage, 07/03/2016

It looks great but is just too safe for its own good.

(*) (*) Michael Cox, Across the Arts, 09/03/2016

There is a trio of very fine performances from Daly, Power and Goldsmith and solid work from all the creative team – Mark Melville on sound, Jessica Brettle on costume, Fisher, Lenton, the on-stage camera technicians and the company who created the script through improvisation.

(*) Thom Dibdin, All Edinburgh Theatre, 10/03/2016

The Destroyed Room is a relevant and thought-provoking piece of work. This is what theatre is all about. It forces us to ask questions about the world we live in today.

Katie Mitchell, Edinburgh Guide, 10/03/2016