Performed by Analogue at the New Wolsey Studio, Ipswich 29th May 2008. 
Beachy Head is the second part of a trilogy by acclaimed young company Analogue. It was performed as a work in progress by the company as part of the Ipswich Pulse fringe festival.

 

The most startling and unconventional aspect of Beachy Head becomes apparent in the opening moments. Using digital cameras, CGI back projection, sound effects and sophisticated lighting, the company bring a radical approach to presenting drama.

Borrowing much from the language of film, stage management has been made a dynamic and key part of the play. Minimal props (a few screens with sliding doors, a desk and chairs) are used and reused, often moving and changing as each scene unfolds.

Zooms and pans, and even freeze frame effects are achieved with perfect timing by the cast who also operate the constantly changing props. Simple dramatic lighting often moves with the actors, and even though the effects were jaw-dropping they supported, rather than hindered, the unfolding stories.

As a work in progress, parts of the plot fizzled out at times, and some characters were under-explored, but it still worked and kept the full studio audience engaged to the end.

Inspired by a photo of the Samaritans phone box by the lighthouse on Beachy Head, the play explores the events surrounding the suicide of a young man. It explores the impact his death has on those around him – the pathologist that examines his body, his grieving wife, and two documentary makers who accidentally catch his death on film. The plot twists through time – again borrowing from film – so we see Stephen, the suicidee, at various points leading up to his step from the cliff.

For me the most rounded character was Sam the pathologist – who also got the best jokes (it’s a serious piece but there were elements of dark comedy).

After the show the cast were kind enough to host a Q&A session with the audience. They explained that the Sam character was being worked on – hence the rather full part, perhaps at the expense of other characters. In the final version - due back at the Wolsey at some point - the characters and their stories may have changed.

I’d strongly recommend Beachy Head – it’s radical in presentation but fascinating to watch.  The highlight for me was the suicide itself – using moving mirrors and subtle lighting. I’ve never seen anything like it!

Adrian Lynch
2nd June 2008

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