Epic at Soho Theatre

Epic at Soho Theatre

27 May, 2011
by: Naima Khan

Naima Khan reviews the witty, historical collage of autobiographical theatre that is Epic at Soho Theatre 

Personal theatre risks being self-indulgent, esoteric and possibly alienating the audience. But the creators of Epic present their family history with such wonderment and compassion that you can't help but think of your own version. And the fascination in each performer's tone makes enough room for this.

The charismatic performers in question are Chloe Dechery, Pedro Ines, Ed Rapley and Lucy Foster. Each welcomes the audience into a conversation with a parent or grandparent, sharing their stories and adorable idiosyncrasies. Pedro's dad likes to trick him, Lucy's grandmother may or may not understand exactly why she's being interviewed and Ed's grandfather isn't entirely sure it's even Ed who's interviewing him.

The cast (and their interviewees) are all charismatic in their own way so when things do get a bit abstract or deadpan, it's easier to digest and varies the tone. The abstractions come via Bertolt Brecht who wants things to be as undramatic and emotionless as possible, but the cast willingly struggle to adhere to his rules. It's his ideas on 'epic theatre' that the team have in mind as they do a little dance and sing a little song, making us all too aware that this is a show; a rich, light-hearted and varied one.

But Epic is also an exploration, not just of the history we can glean from living resources but the relationships we have with our grandparents. Ed reveals that the half-hour interview he's had with his grandfather is in fact the longest period of time they've spent together in a while and Chloe regrets not making the most of her grandmother before she got Alzheimers. Though they're making a worthy point, they're so matter-of-fact about it that things never get overly emotional. However, the nuggets they lay out for us are thought-provoking and autobiographical enough for us to link things together to see a bigger picture.

Epic is a beautiful and clever collage, with a great texture to the aesthetics. From the '60s microphone they sing with to the wooden boards interviews are projected onto, things have a nostalgic feel but a contemporary context. That the artists are able to give so much of themselves, their past, their concerns and their ideas to the audience: that's the meat of Epic, and the reason it really works.

Epic runs at Soho Theatre until 27th May. It then goes on to tour in Totnes, Oxford, Ipswitch and Colchester. 

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Naima Khan