WORTH YOUR MONEY
With just two nights in the Quays Theatre at The Lowry, “All Genius, All Idiot” had far too short a run in Manchester. The
four-man Stockholm based company have created a multi-disciplinary masterpiece
exploring the human condition, without a plot or much dialogue. In my opinion, the damning review from The Guardian as they closed London’s
International Mime Festival earlier this year was unwarranted, as the "messy" description just meant you weren't drunk enough to enjoy it.
Make no mistake, you get out what you put into “All Genius, All Idiot”. The company is an intimate one; they speak of love and adoration as their main inspiration, so if you don't want to feel excluded, you have to join in. Trust me, you get enough opportunities to do so.
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| Sneaky voyeuristic Georgie |
Essentially, these are some beautiful, exceptionally talented young men, so you have two ways to enjoy the show. Luckily, my lovely friend Georgie accompanied me so that we had the two forms of enjoyment covered.
I am noisy, outgoing and stick my oar into everything and so when J. Simon Wiborn crawled over the back of my chair and sniffed me, I sniffed him back. In contrast, Georgie quietly appreciated the sweat-soaked man bun of Tom Brand and really came alive during Santiago Ruiz Albalate's striptease, which means I know what I'm getting her for Christmas. Sly dog.
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| The Beautiful Ben Smith |
It's sexy, it's weird, and you have to get involved. It's the kind of show that makes you wonder if Dr Frank N. Furter and Salvador Dali ever had an affair. There is no plot, save the one you invent in your head, which for me truly showcased the importance of a good pair of heels by Ben Smith, who frankly was the most fabulous Stag In Drag I have ever seen.
I had the pleasure of attending for free, but I would honestly pay the very top price of a whopping £17.00 to see it again. The run-time is quite short in terms of regular theatre, but the experience stays with you in such a way it offsets any cost. That being said, ticket price doesn't seem to matter to Svalbard, as we were all encouraged to fill the front rows anyway. Which meant I got a very good look at some very bad things.
Sure, it's far too weird and wonderful to take your nan, but go yourself, as these gents are honestly so very talented, but so very humble. As Ben Smith said at the end, "while this is a lovely cosy audience, we'd quite like to make it even cosier by filling some more seats". Give this young company your money and you won't be disappointed.