Tough Times for Ridiculusmus

Tough Time, Nice Time by Ridiculusmus, The Pit at the Barbican, until 15 March 2008.

This year may be their fifteenth anniversary, but Ridiculusmus seem to have come to a standstill, if Tough Time, Nice Time is anything to go by.  Their current production, being staged in the Pit studio in the Barbican, is exactly what it seems; two men in a tub, discussing the tough times in their lives which can be written to serve as entertainment, or `nice times` for the masses.  Interesting, certainly, but is that enough to make the ticket price and train fare worthwhile? It is, after all, little more than a stimulating conversation.

It’s the interesting choices of setting and characters that make this piece intriguing; two German homosexuals sharing a very hotel-chic bath in a spa in Bangkok, one of the most sexually renowned cities in the world.  This bizarre scenario sets up a conversation most grotesque, disturbing and at times vulgar.  It also invokes a tension in the audience over whether or not to laugh.  Some found the jibes about brain-damage and war crime perfect black comedy, but an overheard conversation in the ladies’ provided an opposing perspective.

The underlying theme of films throughout the story of the piece and the stories told within the piece make for a colourful discourse that the audience can relate to.  You are presented with unsettlingly familiar images of horrible events, called from mainstream films, exaggerating the modern desire to observe the bizarre and distressing.  For those with a more in-depth film knowledge, however, this proves as more of a distraction than a connection, as you find yourself searching for further cinematic moments, and reminiscing of said moments during the less captivating parts of the show.

Although the piece has a solid script with a solid idea behind it and solid performances, I still found myself feeling unimpressed and wanting more from it; my initial reaction to the piece was little more than a shrug.  The pair’s past productions have been so impressive and original that I found this one even more disappointing.  It lacks the energy and vitality so prominent in their past work, and so loses most of what is enjoyable in their work.  The only familiar element I could find is the comedy, which isn’t even supposed to be a part of this show, as one of their aims is to not be funny.  In theory there is nothing wrong with Ridiculusmus’ trying new approaches to their work, but in this case I can’t help feeling that they have lost the plot and strayed from what they do best.  A sorry standstill for one of the country’s most promising theatre companies. 

My indifference towards this piece makes it very hard for me to recommend.  It is certainly not something worth going out of your way to see unless you have a specific interest in the company, performance or issues surrounding homosexuality.  I fear that having little interest in these things will leave you with an impression of apathy and disappointment much like mine.  But at the same time, it is not a dislikeable piece, and certainly provides seventy minutes of entertainment.  It is a piece perfect for those who love a quiet thriller about exploitation, the likes of The Last King of Scotland, Blood Diamond and The Constant Gardener (the latter is in fact a theme running throughout the show).  I find myself sitting on the fence with this show, as I was certainly dissatisfied, but I also enjoyed many parts of it as it stimulated thought and emotion.  But whether sitting on the fence or in a bathtub, Tough Time, Nice Time does exactly what it says on the tin.