Fish In A Kettle at Fabric Studios Liverpool Review
Written by Roby for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
Fish In A Kettle is a brand-new piece of immersive, promenade theatre that focuses on a dystopian Liverpool in the year 2050. The audience quickly realises that this dystopian world created by Lab Rats Collective could soon become a reality. The show has a clear, consistent vision that makes for a poignant, thought-provoking, and unique piece of theatre. There was an extra layer of poignancy on this particular performance, which was on Bank Holiday Monday – the hottest day to ever be recorded in May.
We are completely immersed in the experience from the beginning; everyone was given party hats to put on, and we were told to ‘follow our gut’. One thing I really liked about this experience is that the audience really were able to move at their own pace wherever they wished. Often with immersive experiences, there is a loss of momentum when actors simply have to explain where they need to move next, but this piece was really free-flowing.
The show utilises devised work, along with research, and the voices of local school children to create a bold, daring, and at times, uncomfortable piece that is different for every audience member. The show constantly delivers what it promises, adhering to its initial ideas to create an impressive piece with a clear, consistent vision. This show could certainly be rewatched multiple times and still be an enjoyable experience, as there are so many different paths to take. The performances from Ellena Begley, Kate Taylor Hunter, Anita Brokmeier, and Felipe Jape throughout are strong; the actors really are unafraid to interact with the audience, providing a truly immersive experience.
Led by Ringo the Oracle (Ellena Begley), the movement throughout this piece is superb. The ‘house party’ dance sequences are great to watch, and the use of motifs within the movement is strong. I liked that the movement was used to almost ‘ground’ the end of each section of the piece, and it was certainly a strength of the show.
At the press night performance, there were only around 25 audience members – I thought this number was perfect in terms of intimacy. If there were any more people, more rooms and plot lines would have to be developed, the intimate nature would begin to be lost.
The design within the show is also impressive. The use of props works really well throughout, and I particularly loved how fans and plastic sheets were used to create waves at the end. The technical aspects are good and well timed – music is used expertly to complement the action; however, it is a shame that throughout we are able to see the tech team, who are sat at a fold-out table, dressed in casual clothes and following a script. Personally, I think this at times took away from the experience, and I think the tech team could have been better concealed. Nevertheless, the design and technical aspects are great throughout, particularly considering the venue and lower budget of this piece.
My only issue with the design and creative vision of the show is that at times it is hard to work out what the actors actually are… fish? Human-fish? Humans that are just dressed like fish? Perhaps this is deliberately ambiguous, but it’s the only element of the show that I didn’t quite understand.
Ultimately, Fish In A Kettle is a thought-provoking, daring, and unique experience that delivers what it promises. Whilst everyone may have different experiences, everyone leaves with the same message, questioning how much we do ourselves in order to help to combat the climate crisis. The piece is promising, well-paced, and unlike anything else. It’s certainly worth watching at least once, if not multiple times – I look forward to following this show’s future.
★ ★ ★ ★
