Looking forward to a party is often more fun than the actual event. So it proves with this piece from new company, Rabbit. Rabbit certainly does a good invitation. A few days before the performance, an email arrives inviting you to recall a special childhood day. More missives follow linking you to an online security safe belonging to the mysterious and Gatsby-like JH who is imminently to celebrate his birthday. There is talk of someone called Banks who has a whiff of the night about him. There are hints and clues that may allow you to gain access to the safe.
By the time I arrived at the theatre I was experiencing the same level of excitement I had felt, aged nine, on being invited to Meredith Andrews' Barbie pyjama party. Alas, like Meredith Andrews' party it ended in tears.
Self Assembly is brilliant idea, imperfectly realised. The sense of curiosity rises as you arrive to find the theatre all locked up and once you've discovered the code to enter and get inside, there are more puzzles and clues to solve as well as party hats, food and games including pass the parcel. The pleasure is all in the detail. Somebody has gone to amazing trouble here: there are exquisite instructions in tiny boxes, cunningly hidden clues and even the old books that tumble out of a packing case seem suggestive of murder and mystery.
But it is not enough. In 90 minutes it still never gets past the preliminaries and is so busy concentrating on the detail that it fails to create a bigger picture. The game playing serves no greater function, there is nothing emotionally at stake, the piece lacks real dramatic tension and fails to successfully manipulate the audience. There is a fantastic show lurking in this concept, but this is just a mess. I'm only pleased I didn't have to clear up afterwards.
