SLAPDASH GALAXY at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Jeff Achtem is back this yeah with his new show “Slapdash Galaxy” which comes to the fringe after 2011′s hugely popular production “Swamp Juice”. His new production follows two brothers ‘Sam & Junior’ and their epic adventures in space. Using nothing more than things one might find around the house Achtem opens up the imagination of young and old alike creating a style of theatre that is unique, manic, but never out of control.

At the start Achtem, in character, introducers the play and explains a world war that has ravaged the Earth and the two brothers have to leave. From the offset the start of the play has the feel of a 1950s sci-fi matinee movies and through the simplest of techniques one is made to feel nostalgic. Using two large hanging screens and one that comes down as an awning over one of his central props, after the war has brought destruction the two brothers leave on their adventure.

The story can, at times, seem erratic but the audience is gripped from the start and doesn’t lose faith in Achtem’s ability and patiently follow him through. The show offers the audience emotionally rich characters and a storyline they follow, understand and love. There is little talking from any of the characters and when there is to the most part it is nonsensical gibberish unless something goes wrong – as in one scene when he was trying to fix the hair of the mother and the felt came off.  Any hiccups only add to the play with Achtem never getting to frustrated that he has to break character but rather uses these hiccups to his advantage.

Either milking a mistake for all it’s worth or simply , which in tern will make each one different and original.

The play use of garbage and other common items allows Achtem to create theatre that is original, authentic and a times almost indescribable. His ability to use anything to tell this story – from smoke to audience members, is remarkable. One is sure, unless been privy to one of his previous productions, less than likely to see something at this level of creativity. The beauty that he creates and the connection one has as an audience member to his puppets, his story, and him as a performer is remarkable.

Sitting at the back of the theatre I kept looking over at his producer in the tech box who at times was unable to contain her laughter and during one crucial scene her frustration. The organic nature of this show means literally anything can happen but one thing that won’t change is how connected one becomes to garbage. One leaves this show happier than one could have imagined…and when that happens one has to scream and shout about it, do not miss this.

1. -‘THE NEW CURRENT’ on Aug 4, 2012
   

To read the original review on-line, click HERE.