The Disappearance of Sadie Jones

Hmmm, my first review, here goes....


'The Disappearance of Sadie Jones' by Hannah Silva at The Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter

Well, it's not a play for everyone. It's one of those plays that is more about artistry, and clever use of set and language - rather than about an interesting story.

Writer/director Hannah Silva has used a minimal amount of props and cast to portray the story of a macabre unstable woman dipping between fantasy and reality. The audience is swept along, not entirely sure of where the fantasy ends and the reality begins. You mustn't spend too long puzzling over this or you'll end up as mad as Sadie - though her encounter with a greengrocer selling apples would do that to anyone.

The language is lyrical with plays on synonyms, repetition and timing. The set is interesting with parts like minimalist modern design and parts like a child's graveyard. There are flashes of humour in the story but overall it's quite dark.

I don't think I'd recommend this play to most people, but if you love the art of theatre and dream-like strangeness it's definitely worth checking out. It is on at The Bike Shed until 20th April. Tickets £7-10.

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