The Experiment: A Monodrama Into The Human Memory – Adelaide Festival Review

The Experiment Space Theatre, Wed Mar 11 Based on British playwright Mark Ravenhill’s 2009 work, The Experiment is billed as a ‘reimagining’ of this short monodrama in which one is confronted with some pretty horrific ideas. The play explores the role of human memory and its relation to reality as lone performer/Chilean guitarist Mauricio Carrasco delivers the shocking monologue amidst a visual /aural landscape which is nothing short of astonishing. In describing the use of children as lab rats to find cures for disease, it becomes unclear as to whether he is perpetrator, bystander, victim, or if in fact it actually even happened at all. Add to this the relentless stridency of a soundscape that exacerbates the confusion and its little wonder audiences have been polarized by this work. It is definitely experimental theatre and composer David Chisolm along with media artist Matthew Gingold need to be applauded for their talent and bravery in producing such creative work. Stunning visuals yet again swathe the play in further ambiguities so that the horror behind the words is lost in what becomes an assault of sight and sound. It became too easy to ignore Carrasco as my focus was entirely taken up with the sound and lighting FX – and therefore lost the thread of the monologue more than once during the performance. He shone best when playing the musically intricate solo guitar pieces but his vocal/physical delivery was far too monotone to be able to compete with everything else going on over and around him. In short, The Experiment is a creative - if confusing, feast for the senses. The Experiment continues at Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, at various times until Sat Mar 14. Book at BASS on 131 241 or bass.net.au. Click HERE to book your tickets.