REVIEW | No One, Omnibus Theatre

★★★★

Reviewer - PHILIP

*Disclaimer: AD | Gifted Tickets

A humorous and at times intense show, ‘No One’ is primarily a physical theatre piece based on the story of ‘The Invisible Man’, by H.G.Wells. Based around an ensemble of 5 performers and a resident DJ (Jonathan Ben-Shaul), we follow the lives of Marvel, Griffin and Mia and how Griffin’s invisible man affects the others. Marvel (Halvor Schultz) is a normal man who is hauled into a police interview due to the disappearance of Mia (Lexie Baker). It is then we find out that he is labelled a ‘magician’ for seemingly being able to levitate objects. As we flashback to the beginning of the story we meet Griffin (Pierre Moullier)- the invisible man whose antics bring about most of the following action. When Marvel meets Mia in a pub, Griffin falls in love. As expected when an invisible man falls in love with a very real woman only tragedy can ensue.

Schultz gives a really truthful performance as Marvel that balances well with Moullier’s slightly mad cap and humorous Griffin. Lexi Baker expertly pulls on the audience's heartstrings at Mia’s point of realisation over Griffin’s deceit.. Flo Weidenbach gives a steely performance as police officer Rodriguez and Owen Bleach plays the polar opposite as the officer in charge Tate - a great comedy turn. Having said this, all the actors in this piece multirole, chopping and changing character with ease - allowing for the audience to believe each character truthfully with a change of accent and physicality along with a small costume change. They bring bountiful amounts of humour to a piece that has a certain level of danger and trepidation. 

The use of music and sound really help to draw the audience in and create a picture of what is about to come. It colours the piece and pulls each section together. 

The physical nature of this piece is really what gives it the wow factor. The carefully choreographed physical aspects of the show often leave the audience open-mouthed. The sheer amount of lifts and flips and tricks used to make the MANY fight scenes realistic, leaving you in awe. Every small move is timed to perfection to make sure that no one is injured in stage violence. Even in some serious fight scenes - the cast adds flourish after flourish of comedic delight!

For a show being performed for such a short run, in a small space, Akimbo Theatre has really put so much time and effort in. Such a tightly performed piece deserves to be seen by more people. 

No One is performing at Omnibus Theatre until 28 Jan. Book your tickets here.