Anthony Neilson's new play, The Wonderful World of Dissocia, on at the Royal Court, is an enthralling, ethereal journey. We are confronted with an Alice in Wonderland dream scape of touchstone characters (Scapegoats, Insecurity Guards and Dungaree-wearing Musketeers) that turns into a sobering tale of the desperation of chemical dependency. Neilson, something of the enfant terrible of British theatre (although not quite to the degree he thinks) offers a witty, genuinely comedic script that lures the viewer into believing - and enjoying - the fantastical world of Dissocia, before forwarding a jarring, bleach-white vision of medical rehabilitation. Christine Entwisle is superb in the lead role as Lisa. This is a genuinely different take on what theatre should aim to achieve. And with Mendes announcing he will direct an uninspiring trio of plays at the Old Vic - Hamlet and The Cherry Orchard among them - Neilson reminds us that there are alternatives.
No comments:
Post a Comment