CHOO CHOO! – the title of this outstanding new production from StammerMouth, refers to how intrusive trains of thought can smash their way through a troubled mind and in the process, drive a close friendship off the tracks.
Sounds a bit heavy, doesn’t it? It’s not. The whole thing actually plays out like a CBeebies bedtime story by way of Black Mirror and The Mighty Boosh, and it may well be the most entertaining sixty minutes of fringe theatre you’re likely to find anywhere this year.
Nye Russell-Thompson and Duncan Hallis both use their own names in the show which adds to its surreal sitcom-esque setup, and the pair are very much fashioned after that ‘Burt and Ernie’, ‘Morecambe and Wise’ tradition of platonic, cohabiting besties. They wear complementary dungarees, and you expect could well have matching PJs waiting for them off-stage, no doubt accompanied by those little Victorian nightcaps. It’s just that kind of vibe.
They spend their days listening to the radio, playing elaborate games and generally living in a state of Sesame Street-inspired bliss. But when Nye’s intrusive thoughts force him to consider the prospect of hurting Duncan – he begins to retreat from the happiness of their everyday routine.
Nye and Duncan have perfect chemistry on stage, and both play with improvisation with masterful restraint. You get the sense they could go further but decide to duck out right at the sweet spot. Neither are ever found asking for the deserved laughs they receive, instead they play the comedy as authentic to the moment, resisting the temptation to go overboard.
This is a choice not to be underestimated in a play which regularly breaks the fourth wall with its use of audience participation. It’s easy for performers to disconnect from the world of the play when there are so many opportunities to ‘go meta’ or feed off the audience’s changeable energy – but you always feel like you’re in safe hands with these two. They’re committed to hitting the beats of the story above chasing a louder laugh.
BSL interpretation is provided by Laura Goulden, who delivers an engaging performance, expertly conveying the emotions playing out between Nye and Duncan, whilst simultaneously portraying a character reacting to these moments in her own right. Her performance is integrated into the play, with all access tools being used creatively, including audio description which is provided by assistant director Tafsila Khan.
Director Nerida Bradley should be commended for maintaining a hold over this play which is neither drama, comedy, sketch or improv show – it’s somehow all of the above and more. Its magnificently sprawling script, enhanced by the cast’s improvisation, makes this show a boiling pot of theatrical ingredients. This production has more plays within plays than Inception has dreams within dreams and yet it remains tight, with all of these potentially competing elements blending together perfectly, without one ever overpowering the other. All of this results in a genuinely innovative format of fringe performance.
So, no – CHOO CHOO! is not a ‘heavy’ show – but despite its lightness of touch, it deals with its important subject matter – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – with respect. Nye, after all, is drawing on his own experiences for inspiration and this lends the show its authenticity. The creative team clearly understand that OCD is a condition which cannot be completely cured but managed and improved through gradual exposure therapy, one step – or train platform – at a time.