Katie Lee reviews Publick Transport’s latest show in Leeds, covering all aspects of airport security.
On hearing about this show I thought it would be highly relevant for me to see it, as I depart for Tenerife in a few days and need a refresher course on the aspects of airport security that may have changed since I last flew. Unfortunately Discombobulated was less of an informative demonstration than an hour of clowning around and shedding of clothing, which means I am less than prepared for my imminent holiday.
The performance occurs under the framework of a lecture, in which McClosky, a member of airport staff and Esperanza, the highly trained performance artist, lead the audience through focal points of security in this age of terror attacks. This situation, indicated by a life-size body scanner and luggage conveyor belt, supports a less than substantial narrative that is driven forward by the hope of the two performers engaging in some kind of romantic clinch.
Most enticing then, is the umbrella mating dance that forms a kind of courtship ritual between the two. Intentionally clumsy, this self-aware slapstick routine embellishes the less than graceful way most couples begin a relationship. Also gratifying is the sheer amount of debris piling up on the stage from each segment, which compliments the purposefully tacky party-popping ending. It is clear that whoever wrote this does not have the pleasure of cleaning up afterwards.
Satisfying to my ego are the sections in simple French and Spanish that I can fully understand, which assumes a certain knowledge of the audience. As an ex Drama student, I also revel in the references to play texts, finding the moment that McClosky persuades thespian Esperanza back to the stage by reciting Shakespeare painfully adorable.
All in all, the show exemplifies one of McClosky’s lines, ‘You’re young and pretty, you can get away with it.’ This kind of act is best left to new performers, enjoying trying out different methods as they hone their skills. Although enjoyable, I expected belly laughs from these experienced artists, who could have easily developed this show by consolidating the storyline and adding an extra half an hour.