Fortyfivedownstairs resides in the depths of the Paris end of the CBD. A hub for indie theatre and art, the venue stages off-off-broadway style theatre with unique scripts, mini budgets and quality artistic crews.
The double bill for Dark Erotica Quartet and Footfalls caught my attention from the title alone.
I couldn’t resist a titillating night of erotica, accompanied by a live cello score. Sweetening the deal, fringe theatre darling Maude Davey stars in Footfalls by Samuel Beckett.
Dark Erotica Quartet opens with a lush red velvet curtain backdrop, the smell of cologne, and a trunk full of BDSM equipment. Four performers (including a live cellist) enact three intertwined erotic scenes. The vignettes blend dark comedy, sorrow, and eroticism into tasty fantasy morsels. The bitesized scenes are well balanced — never tipping over too far into clownish humor, despair, hard core sexuality. Just good vibes and an impressive turn from the musicians providing audio punchlines. The actors’ chemistry and playful interplay was a pleasure-inducing.
We were then ushered into the foyer for intermission, whilst the set changed over for Footfalls.
I’ve previously known Maude Davey as delightfully outlandish performance-artist. Footfalls, directed by Keith Brocket, gave her a turn at a more serious, absurdist piece.
In the short script, a middle aged woman named May paces methodically up and down in a shaft of light. Although the performance is titled ‘Footfalls,’ her steps are faint, muffled by slippers.
The other character in the piece is the woman’s elderly mother, also voiced by Davey. A skilled performer, the difference between the two characters is subtle but clear. True to Beckett’s signature style the set is minimal, the dialogue sparse, and May’s actions repetitive. Despite Davey playing both characters, they seem impossibly separated, unable to connect. (Another common motif in Beckett’s works.)
Dark Erotica Quartet brought levity and humor to a bid for human connection. Where as Footfalls seemed devoid of joy.
It’s an usual pairing, but the double bill delivers an interesting night at the theatre with plenty of food for thought.
– Jenny
Jenny Schmidt is an event adventurer. When she’s not attending live shows, you can find her sampling the latest craft beer or sipping a creative cocktail.
Dark Erotica Quartet and Footfalls run through 16 November at Fortyfivedownstairs. Run time approximately 90 minutes. 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000. Book tickets now.
