Addiction - theSpace @ Venue 45

Addiction shows its workshop origins, and not to good effect. It needs a more rigorous and inventive director than Kenne James who also conceived the show. It deals with a young black woman who becomes a director in the Hollywood entertainment industry while suffering through an illness. She also deals with an intolerant sister and a fiancee with a major drug habit. Although current in the time of metoo, her rise is not justified in the script – she appears to go from small-scale production with her sister to major shows without any justification. Religious and sexual hypocrisy are targeted, but with little power.

There is some ill-judged audience participation and improv which jar with the straightforward narrative – they need to decide how they want to deal with the serious theme. Lots of voice-over narrative halts the flow, I do not know why these could not have been delivered by the actors. There are many unnecessary scene changes in blackout which interrupt progress further.

The cast work hard to deliver. Generally they achieve, but the pace is lacking. Sometimes it is unclear whether they have dried or are pausing for effect. They certainly have no inhibitions about their bodies. Lighting is rather ambitious, but the actors need to find the light if these changes are to have effect.

This could be a powerful show: it needs more focus and drive to deliver.

Derek Benfield