Reviews

Icarus (Lowry, Salford)

Like the legend ”Icarus”, the second production from Square Peg aims high but does not achieve its lofty ambitions

The script by writer, performer and director Michael White speculates that a mission to Mars could be financed by sponsorship and TV revenue if the crew treat the journey as an extended reality TV series.

Anna (Katie Robinson) overcomes reservations and takes part in the mission as a permanent way of securing emotional isolation from the stress of relationships. But the three-person crew is forced to make difficult choices when the signal from Earth that guides the vessel suddenly stops.

Square Peg are skilled at physical theatre, which may account for niggling discrepancies in the narrative; Although Anna’s motivation is explained there is no indication why the other crew members want to take part in a one-way journey; It is hard to accept that even the most cash-starved organisation would staff a highly technical ship with people unable to perform repairs; The trivialisation of what should be an inspiring example of the heights to which the human spirit can aspire into a shabby TV show is not explored.

White devises a subtle way of conveying the effect of zero gravity with the cast in discrete muted lighting, moving and passing items between themselves in gentle slow motion. Early on White establishes a stately pace that mirrors the reserved approach of the central character. Yet he seems reluctant to change the static mood even when the script suggests this would be beneficial.

There is no sense of gathering tension as the situation becomes more desperate. The claustrophobia that can develop when people are forced into unwanted intimacy is absent. Although the play opens with Anna performing a monologue ominously referring to what the crew have become there is no suggestion of descent into chaos.

There is little emotional intensity in the play and it is very hard to care about the sketchy characters. The technique of having the characters quote from poetry and refer to works of art feels over-used as if trying to inject some passion that is otherwise lacking in the play.

It feels strange to remark that a play set in deep space lacks atmosphere but that is the issue – the reserved and static mood of the play hinders audience connection and limits the drama.