Bleep ‘N’ Grind
Cloud Cuckoo Land
Smirnoff Underbelly @ 22:10 5th – 27th (not 14th) £9.50 (£8.50), £8.50 (£7.50)
****
While the Fringe has an overpowering reputation for comedy it’s also a prime place for trying things out, being experimental, showcasing new talent, innovative ideas and fresh material. The Fringe was designed for Bleep ‘N’ Grind and Cloud Cuckoo Land put the mental into experimental.

Performamatic™ jukebox robot B44913M(d), or just B to her friends, takes you on a psychedelic adventure into the pop world. She’s a spirited young L.E.D.y with fascinating tits who just loves to flash at the crowd. B gets used, abused and spat out by the music industry, finding the typical concoction of misguided relationships and drug use while meeting some familiar media personalities along the way through an amusing use of visuals and sound bites.

Plunged into darkness throughout most of the show, this is a tantalising treat for your eyes and ears. Lights, silhouettes and images flash before your eyes on the video screen as musical mayhem ensues partially recorded, partially live. The robotic star’s glowing puppet friends float about, along with an illuminated brummie Wookie type creature called Andy who has a precious passion for bizarre guitar riffs.

The portrayal of B herself employs robotics that Peter Crouch would be proud of, an enticingly illuminated, well assembled costume and lovely use of a face mounted microphone enlivening every creak and crunch of her motion. Suffering for her art - some of the electronic effects that bring this character to life are not only housed externally but also inside the performer!

Within the darkened format, barely a theatrical technique is left untouched as the story rapidly unfolds, occasionally translating filmic styles to the stage with erratic but mostly satisfying results. The methods with which the lighting, projections, electrified costumes, puppetry and sets are combined shows an emphatic enthusiasm for blending art forms.

With the emphasis placed so strongly upon aural and visual stimulation, the occasional trundle of a prop or misplaced point of light or shadow can be distracting, and on occasion the clarity of speech leaves a little to be desired but I can excuse these tiny troubles.

Cloud Cuckoo Land have truly set themselves a task, through technical complexities, staging, timing and the many self imposed demands of the piece but they have risen to their extensive challenge with aplomb. This certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I found the experience exhilarating, inspiring and altogether uplifting.
An intoxicating theatrical cocktail.

by Ian Phillips