“It is clever theatre which employs the semiotics of theatre to create a strong sense of beautiful frippery, layering interdisciplinary elements of physical theatre and ancient folk lore to tell the story“
Kate Stratford
New Theatre
Sydney
17 – 21 September 2024
Meticulously devised, executed and performed, Plenty of Fish in the Sea is (as the title might reference) an absurdist take on app dating. A nun and her silent companion set sail to catch fish, and manage to hook a particular sort of fish in a sea of possibilities. They teach him to fish for himself and to overcome any squeamishness he might have about processing the fish caught. References abound, linking the characters and action to the myths of mer-people and the lure of desire.
This is classic Fringe fare. Clockfire Theatre Co present a physically, visually and sonically impressive 45 minutes devised by creators/performers Emily Ayoub and Madeline Baghurst. With Christopher Carroll as the doomed fish, the trio perform perfectly choreographed movement theatre to a demanding, time sensitive soundscape (Daniel Herten). It is clever theatre which employs the semiotics of theatre to create a strong sense of beautiful frippery, layering interdisciplinary elements of physical theatre and ancient folk lore to tell the story.
Rapturously received by the audience, I was left wondering how they might have responded had the roles been gender reversed. No spoilers here. You would have to draw your own conclusions.
Kate Stratford, Theatre Now
