The Manifestation of Trim Tab Jim

Taking a pew in the beautiful St. Nicholas Church - the oldest in Brighton, with features dating back to the 10th Century, the last thing you might expect to see is a large computer screen dominating the altar area. 'Universe downloaded. Begin Play' says the screen and so the show begins.

Part play, part musical and part lecture... reminiscent of The Truman Show

Stage right are the band, dressed in hospital coats and bandage masks: patients, doctors, aliens? It’s hard to say.

Stage left an anonymous man wakes from a coma on a hospital bed, a mask covering his post-accident facial reconstruction, his memory gone. He devours reading material, especially political and philosophical tomes, and works with his psychiatrist using meditation and hypnotherapy.

This is our eponymous character, named after a dream he had whilst comatose, featuring the Angel of Death who called him ‘Trim Tab’, and the letter in his pocket addressed to ‘Jim’.

The show is about the fundamental importance of a ‘simple message’. It’s performed as a rock musical and suggests that we may all be part of a badly programmed computer game, acting subject to coding and under the illusion that we have freewill.

Trim Tab Jim, played by James Mannion lead vocalist and writer/creator of the show, sings his way through realisations whilst the back drop screen shows a series of film clips, from protest scenes to scientific discoveries. Mannion’s vocals are passionate and engaging, his songs varied enough to hold interest throughout. The only other actor on stage is the Psychiatrist.

In what is part play, part musical and part lecture, they discuss the pitfalls of contemporary activism, concluding that people shouldn’t outsource their power to politicians and that protests lack a simple clear message about the problem and its solution.

Following a mind-messing first half, the second half sees Trim Tab’s body double ‘singing’ about encompassing everything from the pulpit, Jesus on a crucifix behind him; the back drop screen shows us the seemingly randomly changing boundaries of the map of the world since the beginning of history; and a likeably frenzied Brighton news reporter keeps us up-to-date with the peaceful activism inspired by our hero – now unmasked, out of hospital, and sitting meditating on Greenwich Hill, his written manifesto for change hanging from a nearby tree. But it lacks something of the plot and heart of the first half.

I'm left wondering if what this show needs, to do full justice to Mannion’s inventive ideas and escalate it to Game-Changer of this year’s Fringe, is perspective from a lead actor who is not also the writer.

The show emerges as a discussion on ethics and freewill reminiscent of The Truman Show. The setting is special, the band accomplished, the material catchy, the plot absorbing, unsettling and ambitious.

Reviews by Karen Dobres

The Warren: The Hat

Don't Worry Be Yoncé (XS)

★★
Marlborough Theatre

The Cult of K*NZO

★★★
St Nicholas Church

The Manifestation of Trim Tab Jim

★★★★
Battersea Arts Centre / Brighton Dome

Can You See Me Now?

★★★★
Rialto Theatre

Slooshy Wordshow

★★★★

Since you’re here…

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You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
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Performances

Location

The Blurb

Trim Tab is on a mission to fulfil a promise he made to the Angel of Death. If only he could remember what it was... A psychiatrist takes a keen interest in him and goes out of her way to help him fulfil his potential. But all is not as it seems – indeed, reality itself may not be as it seems... Praise for THE REINCARNATION OF TRIM TAB JIM: “Lion-hearted... Destined for greatness!” (Fringe Review) “A slick performance with a great message” (Fringe Guru) “Unique, compelling musical theatre” (Fringe Review) “Simply stunning” (BN1 Magazine) Bar opens 7pm. www.trimtabjim.com

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