ESCAPE FOR DUMMIES - Theatre Review

 The Courtyard Theatre, London

★★★★★

Tom and Jerry, The Road Runner, Woody Woodpecker are some of the shows that spring to mind when watching Space Hopping Theatre’s Escape for Dummies, which was first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017. Now part of the Camden Fringe, this brilliant performance involves peak physical comedy, hilarious characters and a story that will transport you to the world of all the classic cartoons that hold a special place in our hearts.

In a clothes shop, a male dummy unexpectedly comes to life and has one goal in mind: to escape and gain his freedom. But it’s more difficult than it looks, with employees and shoppers coming from left, right and centre and with a manager who is determined to keep order in his shop. When a new, female dummy is transferred in the shop, everything turns upside down. With an ally joining the cause and helping overcome the challenges, escape is finally tangible for the dummies.

The cast consists of five incredibly talented performers. Sam Morris (who’s playing the male dummy in addition to being the movement director), with immense discipline, is onstage from the moment we step in the auditorium till the very end of the show. He doesn’t lose his concentration or energy for even a second; he’s present, committed and manages to find lovely details in the heightened movement sequences. Alice Simmons (the female dummy) also gives an impressive performance, balancing intensity with graceful and delicate moments. George Waring deserves a special mention, as he needs nothing else but his expressive face and his imaginative, spot-on sound effects to create an array of characters, with the highlights being the old man and, of course, the maniacal floor manager of the shop.

Two of the cast members, Josh Mallalieu and Laurence Cuthbert, are also the creators of the show. Needless to say that they succeed in both roles, creating a wonderfully entertaining atmosphere and backdrop for the main plot and the sub plots to shine. Their principal characters, the security guards of the shop, have fantastic chemistry and they both leave nothing in the tank in the final chase scene, where chaos erupts and the dummies, finally exposed, attempt to escape once and for all.

The set, designed by Giulia Cacciuttolo, works perfectly for the nature of the show. Some rails with clothes, cleverly positioned to help with the numerous entrances and exits of the various characters, appointed squares for the dummies and baskets of props are all that’s needed, so the performers can take advantage of the whole stage to showcase this movement-heavy piece. There is an excessive amount of props and bits of costume, which, though essential to indicate the different characters, one could argue can get distracting at times.

Music, composed by Laurence Cuthbert, plays a crucial role in the show, as it helps advance the plot, change the mood and synchronise the ensemble. It’s what first immerses the audience in this cartoon-like world and makes the journey even more joyful, revealing the romantic notes, the sneaky and the wacky ones.

Escape for Dummies is an undeniable masterclass on physical comedy. No matter how old or young you are, it’ll make you laugh till your cheeks ache, but it also brings out a certain nostalgic element due to the classic cartoons it draws from. And along with all the humour and jokes, this company shows how our sense of self and the relationships we create with others is what’s really important, what can make the biggest difference in our lives.