Property Rites is, in its simplest terms, the story of a patron desperate to get rid of a set of singing dolls he bought and subsequently regretted. However, in truth it is far more a story of restless spirits, and the dilemmas and troubles faced by a set of such spirits desperate to break free. For right from the very start of the play, when a fantastic lighting effect is entwined with a womb-like piece of music, it becomes clear to the audience that the pretty faces on show are far more than just masks but in fact a set of faulty goods goods that cannot quite work out where they belong.
Unfortunately the production cant quite decide whether to shift towards a more inventive, stylised form of performance there is a thrillingly powerful maelstrom of voices near the end of the production as one doll fights the others for freedom, both vocally as well as physically, or a dull naturalistic style which encompassed a large part of the play. Part of the problem was that the young cast were left to deal with such a drab script that at times one could slightly sympathise with a tendency to act a feeling. There were undoubtedly some very committed performances, but more often than not they fell dangerously between the straight and the slapstick which wrecked a few potentially strong moments. Indeed, when the lead dress realises that they will be destroyed in order for the patron to claim insurance, she slides rather ungainly down a ramp just as the mix of voices hit their peak. What a mess!
Nonetheless, there are enough sparks of enjoyment and mystery in this production for it to provoke some thought. With a more interesting script, it could certainly provide the opportunity for a more inventive interpretation, and an audience leaving with a clearer idea as to its message.
