Imaginary Natural Beings at Network Theatre

As part of the Vault Festival, Imaginary Natural Beings is a searching play that attempts to bridge the gap between mid-20^th century concepts such as psychoanalysis and existentialism on the one hand, and contemporary issues relating to coming-of-age, Blackness and feminism on the other. This juxtaposition allows the performance to tackle some weighty themes, although the short runtime and breadth of subject matter necessarily keep some of them at surface level.

The plot focuses on The Girl (Darcy Dixon), a young Black adult who is struggling in various areas of her life. A frame narrative pairs her with a psychotherapist (Annie Haworth), a thoroughly old-fashioned pastiche of a 1950s psychoanalyst, with whom she discusses her feelings of nausea and existential dread. Other than that, the audience witnesses various episodes, most prominently these centre around her failed relationship with The Boy (Jack Medlin), but other contexts also feature, such as a job where she suffers racial abuse or her difficult and fraught relationship with her parents.

Director Issy Snape’s production is minimalist, consisting of a set design by Tara Kelly featuring a number of nets hanging from the ceiling, which the ensemble of five actors use to hide when they’re not participating in the action. Kelly’s work is joined by Marie Colahan’s lighting design that is neat and subtly ties things together. But it is the cast who deliver the most potency in the show, especially Dixon, whose feeling for her character comes alive on stage. It’s not an easy role to play, with strong breaks in mood as we experience the different episodes of her life out of order, but she pulls it off. The other actors, all of whom play various roles, are equally strong on stage.

As such, Imaginary Natural Beings manages to deliver a package that successfully addresses some pressing issues of our times.

Michael Higgs

Imaginary Natural Beings is at Network Theatre from 24^th January until 27^th January 2023 as part of Vault Festival 2023. For further information or to book visit the website here.

For further information about the event visit the Vault Festival website here.