Distraction Camp, BATS Theatre, 31 August 2010

Upon entering BATS Theatre for a performance of Distraction Camp, the first thing you’ll notice is the sumptuousness of the set. Red curtains drape the walls, bedecked in mirrors – including one so large that my first thought was “how the hell did they get that up from Christchurch?”

A large chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and a raised cross-shaped dancefloor of polished wood dominates centre stage, framed on each side by cage-like platforms. On one of these platforms is laid a bishop’s cassock and mitre; on the other is a judge’s wig and robes. Completing the picture are two monitors, high on the back wall, showing security footage of the BATS lobby. Okay, it’s not quite Apollo 13: Mission Control, but it’s nevertheless one of the most elaborate sets I’ve seen at BATS – particularly for a touring production.

Christchurch’s Free Theatre first performed this avant-garde devised work in December last year, and now bring it to Wellington. The play itself takes place in a “House of Illusions” (which it soon becomes clear is something like a BDSM dungeon) in which a succession of guests play out various sadistic fantasies (and also occasionally sing and/or tango). Meanwhile the outside world is going to hell – news reports on the monitors tell us that armed insurgents are seizing control of the country.

All of this is presented as a series of connected vignettes, accompanied by music – a pianist and a cellist provide a live score (at one point the cellist even joins the actors on stage). There’s also some very accomplished singing from several of the cast – overall the music and the production design is impressive.

There isn’t much in the way of character development or story, however. Media interviews given by the company suggest that this is part of a deliberate rejection of what they see as mainstream New Zealand theatre, which they describe as coming from “a British tradition where it’s all about the playwright’s vision and a cohesive narrative.”

Translation: if you like your narratives cohesive, it’s possible that this isn’t the play for you. If however you’re prepared for them not to be cohesive (and you’re okay with the odd bit of S&M in your theatre) then by all means give Distraction Camp a whirl.

Distraction Camp runs at BATS Theatre until Saturday 11 September 2010.