Sleeping Trees is a physical theatre company of three actors, accompanied on stage with a small band. At first look it could be hard to imagine that these three men could present an entire Science Fiction adventure show, with no props or setting and only their star-trek inspired t-shirts to even suggest what kind of show it is. However, my first guess couldn't have been more wrong.
We dive straight into the action, with the 'High Council' punishing a man - clearly the villain - named Galacticon. Rescuing a baby they decide they only thing they can do to keep him safe is shoot him off to another planet. Fast forward to 30 years in the future and Charlie lives on a farm working with pigs, however, as the 'Chosen One' and due to his love for 'Sally Crinkleton' Charlie is propelled into an adventure that takes place across the galaxy, and comes face to face with an evil villain, albeit a fairly inept one.
Using incredibly staged physical theatre to represent a multitude of different characters and an incredibly well written plot line, Sleeping Trees present your typical, but also not-so-typical, Sci-Fi. The show uses, abuses and occasionally completely twists familiar and popular scenes lines and themes from the genre, resulting in an action packed, fun-filled hilarious piece that really illustrates the power of human imagination.
The humour was often daft and the plot line ridiculous but it didn't matter due to the sheer power of their storytelling and ability to relay a fairly complex plot using only themselves. Their jokes were hilarious and they did such a great job of spoofing the Sci-Fi genre while not completely satirising it. It was so funny that even the band and the actors themselves were laughing but it didn't matter they completely pulled it off.
Despite the form of theatre, the story line was easy to understand thanks to stellar acting, impeccable scene changes and utterly brilliant characterisation of the different parts that they played. This show was utterly fantastic and not one to miss; hands down the best sci-fi I've ever seen.
* * * * *
Sleeping Trees: Sci Fi? is on at the Pleasance Courtyard at 17:00 until 29 August (exc. 18 August). Fr tickets and more information, visit the Fringe website.
I am a big fan of these 3 guys! I first met them at a college workshop and fell in love with there style of theatre which to me is utterly unique.
I am glad you got to see them at this year's Fringe. I haven't seen this particular show but I am sure it is outstanding and hope to see it at some point in the near future. If I needed anymore persuading this review definitely did it.