Drawing inspiration from George Orwell’s eponymous 1946 essay on the perfect public house, The Moon Under The Water presents us with a dystopian view of how UK binge-drinking culture has turned this ideal sour. Into a drably minimalistic setting stagger a host of slightly pathetic characters whose descent into inebriation over the course of an average evening at the pub provides the trajectory of the show. In the absence of an overarching plot, we are faced with a series of short scenes portraying common barroom incidents, from a discussion on the relative merits of commitment and serial dalliance to the opportunistic ‘seduction’ of a paralytic teenager (ironically narrated like a fairytale love story). The script feels a bit unpolished, even for a devised piece, with certain scenes trailing off rather than concluding and some actors not quite adept enough to build up sufficient atmosphere. The proceedings are conducted by a sort of arch-drunk who provides occasional narration, which is both unnecessary and not particularly well-executed. However, he eventually brings a very poignant climax to the piece in the form of the perfectly choreographed final scene, portraying the tragic desperation of the alcoholic. The monologues delivered by the stronger members of the cast offer moving – and sadly recognisable – portraits, with a particular highlight in the form of a bitter old woman, swinging maniacally from chumminess to abuse.The cast’s well-choreographed use of physical theatre to punctuate and structure an otherwise chaotic show is surprisingly effective. A musical interlude involving classic pub soundbites, repeated three times in the course of the show, feels pointless at first but by the end serves to highlight the characters’ downfalls. The tight choreography blends into the action in a way which really enhances the script, managing to provide emphasis, comedy and even pathos. Although it starts slowly, the show gains in momentum and emotional resonance, ultimately deconstructing the charm of the English pub to take us on genuinely moving journey through man’s devolution under the influence.
