Performance
© Ridiculusmus 2008
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Children's Express, Belfast 2001
Paranoid Household review, 19 November 2001
Children’s Express journalists review what’s on offer at the 2001 Belfast Festival at Queens.
I didn’t know theatre could be that whacky.
Paranoid Household (November 6) was set in the bottom floor of a run-down terrace house in Belfast. The two actors from Ridiculusmus played the roles of landlord and tenant sharing a house. “It was an experience actually watching the acting from the comfort of their living room instead of being on a set in a theatre,” said Thomas Kielty, 16. The play examined how two people share a living space and how paranoia can develop in this situation. “Every-one’s house has a little paranoia in it. If your parents have an argument you tip-toe around and stay out of the rooms they are in,” Lisa Skinner, 17 said. Water dripping from the ceiling, newspaper rustling and doors creaking heightened the tension in the house. The audiences’ laughter seemed to ease the tension, they were like polite visitors in the house. “I really enjoyed the way the two characters showed how they felt about each other. The tenant, who was scared of the landlord tip-toed and even hid to avoid contact,” said Thomas. “While the landlord seemed to be in control of everything and just grunted when replying to his nervous tenant,” he added. Being a fly on the wall created another level of humour. The actors did nothing particularly funny but seeing the human condition so up-close was quite uncomfortable and laughter was an easy comfort blanket. “I will tell my friends about this 20 minute show. I did not know theatre could be that whacky. I am glad I went,” said Thomas.
About the team This article was produced by Thomas Kielty, 16 and Lisa Skinner, 17.
It was published on the Belfast Festival website.
Related pages:
.. Ian Shuttleworth, London 2001 .. Ian Shuttleworth, London 1992