A review of TWITS 2016: A Silly Sort of Thing
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A Silly Sort of Thing, a TWITS (two weeks in the space) production in PW’s Upspace is directed and written by Kathy Ng '17, and the final product is clearly hers. Before it even began, she flitted among the actors, making adjustments both subtle and large in order to fit her disorienting, kooky and delightful vision for the show. Without exaggeration, A Silly Sort of Thing is unlike anything I've seen before. When asked what it was about, I came up blank. There are strong motifs and powerful themes, but the plot can’t be packaged neatly. So, what was it about? Recovery? Mental illness? Relationships? Aesthetically, the show is distinct. The walls were drenched in day-glo paint, courtesy of Maggie Meshnick '17, and it looked like something between a Dr. Seuss book and a melted Jolly Rancher. It felt as wonky as a play about snails ought to be. In a pink morph suit with a glittering shell, the snail, played by Becca Levy '16, is hard to ignore. At first, I understood her to be an observer, the sage guide through the wilderness of the protagonist's mind. As the show progresses, however, her purpose becomes more clear. The protagonist Harriet, played masterfully by Chelsea Fernando '17, is a surly poet with a case of agoraphobia and a closet full of skeletons. At first, she appears to be the only reliable narrator. However, by the end of the show, we question her sanity and explore the jungle that is her “impossible to understand brain.” Harriet’s brother Lenny, a self proclaimed “bundle of joy,” is played by the exquisite Sasha de Lotbiniere '17. Although the stage is already crowded with vibrant characters, de Lotbiniere is a breath of fresh air. Lenny and Harriet’s relationship can be difficult to watch. They suffocate one another, screaming in parallel frustration. The most draw-jopping moment of the show occurs when Lenny forces Harriet to admit something that destroys our conception of the truth. I won’t give it away, but brace yourself for...something.In addition to Lenny, Harriet also interacts with Shelly, the waitress played by Tabitha Payne '19. She sees everything in a beautiful way; what the crotchety Harriet interprets as inconvenient, Shelley considers incredible. She may be the “most mind numbingly strange person I have ever met,” but this character has some of the best dialogue and is a joy to watch. Ng shrewdly breaks up Harriet's transitions between Shelly and Lenny by introducing two other characters sitting on a bench. These girls, played by Ani Mack '17 and Georgia Wright '17, primarily serve as comic relief. But their lines are also cringe-worthy and teeter into other, less savory territory. A central theme of this show is the ability (or inablity) to find the right word. At one point, Harriet explains the excruciating process of writing down “something that’s meant for the air.” I’m not going to lie; reviewing this show was a challenge. Its loose plot and huge questions are not easy to navigate, but A Silly Sort of Thing was well worth the struggle.More information about showtimes and ticketing can be found here.Images via.