Visually stunning, with a message convincingly told, The Factory is a mesmerizing show. The Precarious Theatre Company merge a blend of cutting-edge multimedia with physical dance theatre, making a powerful statement about the contemporary culture of consumerism.
Inside The Factory human beings are reduced to an existence as repetitive and perfunctory as the machines they work alongside, producing a continual array of produce for a consumer that never stops to question; why? Who is it that benefits from this never-ending production line of newness?
Further issues raised and explored in this show include the commercialisation of the female body, the pressure to attain perfection and the influence of celebrity culture on our lives.
The shows strength undoubtedly lie in its use of visual stimuli, from the impressive technology that sees a dancer made of both projection and flesh to the use of objects such as cardboard boxes and tape as part of dance sequences. The set is in a permanent state of flux, constantly and fluidly adapting with the performance. The dancers invoke the automated and mechanical in all their performances and the feeling of industrial imprisonment flows continuously throughout the show.
The Factory attempts to fit so much into its show and for all its considerable successes it does not come without its weaknesses. The dialogue felt almost intrusive and had the tendency to slip into preaching and at times both characterisation and narrative felt confusing and unclear; however clarity was always provided in the dance performances themselves. Highlights being the sight of four girls being strung from their ankles like raw meat, in what was a striking commentary on the beauty industry. The sight of humans being reduced to mass produced objects contained in plastic bags was another particularly poignant and memorable sight.
With strong performances and an impressive visual flair, Precarious deliver a show that is both thought-provoking and a pleasure to watch. The Factory is not without it faults but its message against the importance of consumerism on society will undoubtedly linger in the audience minds long after the show has ended.
Reviewer: Amy Organ
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