Ad Infinitum are a new and energetic physical theatre company from Ecole Internationale de Theatre Jacques Lecoq and Lecoqs brand of clowning is beautifully evident in their new piece, Behind the Mirror. Gentle and good natured, these performers skilled mime and comic sense of timing engage and engross the audience and make us feel we are complicit with them, drawing us delightfully into their world.
A man plays in front of his mirror, he flips from fat to thin, becomes a western star and finally a man proposing. The object of his affection, our heroine, is coming home shortly and he means to pop the question but his mirror image, which has hitherto been following him obediently, has other ideas. With Machiavellian glee he is intent on tricking and making mischief for our poor hero, especially when it comes to our heroine whom the mirror image covets lustfully.
Committed to creating a truly international and universal theatrical experience Ad Infinitum truly excelled in their aim here, captivating the most varied audience I have yet seen at the fringe, old and young, physical theatre aficionados and members of the general public alike all responded to this show with glee. Performed completely in a language of imaginary words, the performers managed to convey exactly what each character meant with nods, winks, ticks, a twinkle of the eye and moreover not only conveyed it but had the audience to empathising with them. Whether it was the brilliantly performed sound effects for every action, the most mundane and fabulous being the perfectly pitched squeaking of a plate being polished, or the hilarious (and I dont use that word lightly) fight sequence incorporating Kung Fu, slow motion, miniature sword fighting and much much more, this was a show which sparkled with good humoured comedy and breathtaking skill.
George Mann, Deborah Pugh and Nir Paldi seemed almost like human rubber bands they were so immediate and elastic. Their performance was peppered with ingenious slapstick sequences and moments of tender humanity and often reminded me of the beauty and simplicity of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. They have the audience eating out of the palm of their hands and thoroughly deserve to do so. When our hero and heroine touch hands divided by the mirror which has trapped her, it is infused with such sadness that you can palpably feel the change of mood in the air and with the audience.
A truly delightful and engaging production which took an audience of individuals and united them through the performers energy, skill and above all real heart. George Mann finishes with a request If you liked the show please tell your friends, if you didnt please tell your enemies. Whoever you are, please go.
