Edmund. The Beginning. Antechamber Productions, Arts House North Melbourne, Sunday November 15th 2015

Edmund. The Beginning.  Antechamber Productions, Arts House North Melbourne, Sunday November 15th 2015

"Edmund. The Beginning" is a one man show from Antechamber Productions, at Arts House North Melbourne, Sunday November 15th 2015.  "Edmund. The Beginning"  is an imaginary journey by Brian Lipson.

The stage is the upstairs Rehearsal Room at the  Arts House North Melbourne.  We see the 7.00 pm show and there is no lighting except for the curtains drawn back and allowing the light to shine in through the windows which provides a natural setting for such an unnatural play.

Brian Lipson introduces us to "Edmund. The Beginning" with his entrance in his multi-faceted costume that speaks volumes throughout the play.  It is as if he is stripping away his exterior to reveal his inner soul of compassion and vulnerability.

So many references went over my head as I am sure it will for many people.  This is a play rich in meaning, research and respect.  Brian Lipson is paying homage to so many people both living and dead in "Edmund. The Beginning."

This play, "Edmund. The Beginning" is one that I could easily see again due to the richness and complexity of the text.  I know that I am not the only audience member to miss some of the references.  Maybe they could include some of the references into the programme.

I loved the opening quote that he scrawls in chalk on the wall.  A great joke of unfinished business that I will not spoil.  This joke resonates, as it heightens our ignorance of so much unfinished business that we do not understand or appreciate about many characters in literature.  Edmund being the example in the title.

His opening lines use neuro- linguistic programming to position and differentiate his three embarrassing statements   This opening sequence also reveals a substantial contract with the audience, as Brian Lipson places items in positions to represent significant people.  He not only honours their position and stature in time but in space and memory.  He moves as if he is the moveable marker/guide on a living Ouija Board conjuring up memories - either real or imagined.

He uses a wonderful analogy of being the sun and these people revolve around him as if planets. With the sun slowly setting through the windows, the room darkens as if we are entering a new moon with each new character revealed.

At times it is as if his character Daniel is ranting.  But we are witnessing a confidential expose.

He shares the story of going to see Harold Pinter's play "The Homecoming" in London.  He travels on the train with Martin his friend.  As he tells us the story he opens and salts a packet of chips.  His timing is sublime as he has us in the palm of his hand awaiting his crunch on the single chip.  The audience are teased on numerous occasions and are distracted as he tells us this story.

In fact Brian Lipson uses so many distracting techniques to command our attention.  By using these distraction techniques you realise that you have the choice to focus elsewhere.  At times it can be hard work to concentrate on aspects of the performance and makes you refine your focus to filter out these distractions - to ensure you do not miss any nuggets of gold.

The first distraction technique is the strong smell of food as you enter the space.  He tells us about this smell at the end.  Such a wonderful "smell-o-vision" and so timely with the recent production of "1984" and the stench upon walking into "Bronx Gothic" (also at Arts House, North Melbourne.

The most significant distraction technique is when he hooks his mobile phone to a set of speakers and plays a ranting monologue.  We are listening to this rant when he announces that we must listen to him or miss the point of the play.  We all lean forward and try to listen to his important information. The audience struggle at times to cut through the background noise.  He is making a wonderful point of how people are distracted by technology and the immediate gratification rather than focusing on important issues of life: relationships with others and being in the moment.

The Pinter-esque pause has new meaning with his right hand being driven down into the chair and held during a long story.  His right hand is framed by the outline of the back of the chair; as if his hand is on stage.  Here, Brian Lipson takes the pause to a new level with stillness and heightens our curiosity what this means.  It got me thinking while watching him: Is his right hand a slave to the rest of his body?  He is honouring Harold Pinter's play "The Dumb Waiter" which I have seen many times. 

Whatever the meaning of this play, it is a fun and mesmerising work.  He challenges our thoughts in time and space.  He checks one, if not all of his five or six watches and at one stage he announces it is 44 minutes into the work.  He is right, as I took note of the starting time.  He teases us and suggests he may start again.  You can hear the suppressed and underlying groans in the room. Bodies shift in their seats waiting his next move.   He again has the audience's attention.  It is timely as this similar device was a major theme of the show  "YOUARENOWEHERE" which was presented at the Arts House for the 2015 Melbourne Festival. Wow, two shows at this same venue, from two different countries that teased and tested our perception of time and reality.

The final image is where Brian Lipson places his mobile phone on the chair to provide the lighting. The light shines upwards and creates the monstrous size version of his persona.  A wonderful and simple effect.

At times I found it hard to understand some of Brian Lipson's diction.

This is a wonderful work that highlights the beauty within the dark chasms of humanity, existence and literature.  He is seeking and revealing the gems hidden within the walls of darkened mines.

Peter Evans and Susie Dee directed "Edmund. The Beginning" and have created a work for long term discussion and soaring memories.  It is a play to transport you and will certainly do very well on the international festival circuit.

My head is still spinning a week later as I try to complete my review.  Whirling and spinning in as I try to recall so many wonderful memories.

This work obtained a 7.5/10 from both myself and partner.