From Russia with laughter

9:19am Thursday 18th September 2008

Forget nihilistic, slapstick circus clowns, forget the sugar coated spectacular special effects of multi million pound films that pass as family entertainment.

This is stripped to the bone, physical theatre at its best. No words are needed, literally, to comprehend the poignancy and humour of this comical portrait of a zany, dysfuctional family.

Legendary St Petersburg clown company Licedei’s The Family will make you pinch yourself and feel glad you’re alive.

Its power lies in its simplicity. On one level its crazy humour has the audience rolling in their seats with laughter and on the other it has them on the edge gripped by tension.

Which crazy pranks by the children will drive their alcoholic father to the edge of insanity and over the edge so he packs his bags and leaves? Will the pregnant mother suffer a nervous breakdown or give birth? Ultimately will the family stay together?

While you’re intrigued by these questions, you’ll be caught off guard because the action is so absorbing and funny.

To give you a taste, in one scene you’re laughing because the father is snoring in his chair. The children block his nose with a peg which is hilarious and then they put sellotape over his mouth.

At first you realise that he may not be able to breathe and in the few silent moments while he lies motionless in the chair it slowly dawns on you that he may actually be dead. The children poke him and prod him. Has their prank gone a little too far? Harmless childs play or manslaughter?

The circus tricks, such as the father’s refilling beer glass and clowning calamities and acrobatics are there too but they are given much more weight by the story of love and loyalty unfolding on stage.

In keeping with the simplistic genius of the production, ordinary stage props such as dolls heads, clothes pegs and rocking chairs are used to maximum effect.

Also, because there are no words spoken in the show it is amazing to experience how the audience‘s attention is gripped and manipulated by the skill and dexterity of the acting performances, whose facial expressions, actions and body language are more powerful than dialogue.

Watch out for some unusual audience particpation as well. Prepare to be soaked by a watering can, kissed and hugged by the actors, have dirty washing thrown at you or answer the telephone on stage.

This play is especially for anyone who has to cope with the struggle of keeping a family together. It is also for anyone who wants to be thoroughly entertained.

At the end you’re covered in white streamers unrolling from the stage and have to untangle yourself in order to get to the exit door. But you won’t have any problems with unravelling your thoughts to decide whether this play is any good or not. It’s brilliant. Go and see it.

The Family runs at Hackney Empire 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ until September 27. Box Office: 020 8985 2424. Email: info@hackneyempire.co.uk