Eugene Ionesco's The Chairs

Directed by Rob Kavanagh
Presented by Tell Tale Theatre
St George's Hall Concert Room, Liverpool
7th - 8th February 2014

Reviewed by Colin Serjent
Photograph by Jonathan Hall

Instead of using just two characters in Eugene Ionesco's The Chairs, the Old Man and the Old Woman, Tell Tale Theatre approach it in an entirely different way by using twelve characters, six men and six women, plus The Orator, who appeared in the closing moments of this ingenious and absurd, in the kindest sense, production.

The chairs are a symbol of a series of invisible guests who are coming to hear an orator review, for example, the meaning of life.

I must admit I did not comprehend certain aspects of the Tell Tale production, but nevertheless the physical theatre and strong madcap comedy touches were enjoyably surreal and highly entertaining to watch, together with three acoustic guitarists lending live soundscapes at particular times.

It is the first time Tell Tale have taken part in this type of absudist work, but you would never have guessed that this was the case given the accomplished way they carried it off with such aplomb.

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