I am WoofCreated and Performed by: Robert Taylor
Produced by: ScenePool
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The Space at Surgeons Hall (V53)
06/08/2010 - 14/08/2010
*An emotional powerhouse. Not to be missed.
Robert Taylor's original piece 'I am Woof' is a moving and insightful look at the impact of war. Based on verbatim text taken from interviews with soldiers returning from Afghanistan, it explores the reasons why young men and women enlist, their fear in the face of battle, and their struggles to reacclimatize once they've returned home. Set on a bare black stage adorned only with one wooden chair, this is a simple, honest, and incredibly powerful exploration of a vital topic which doesn't receive enough attention.
'I am Woof' focuses on the individual stories of three soldiers, each at different points in their service. There is the experienced, disillusioned older man who has sacrificed his youth and relationships to fight for his country. Then, there is the soldier leaving for Afghanistan who is terrified of what he faces but proud of his place in a family line of servicemen. Finally, there is the young man returning home, scarred by what he has seen in battle, and facing mental health issues as he attempts to readjust to life in Britain.
The most impressive part of 'I am Woof' is that it doesn't take a biased stance on the current conflict. Instead, it allows the true words of its real life subjects to speak for themselves. This is not a political piece pushing an ulterior motive. Instead, it is a human piece which examines the high moral cost to our society of sending young men and women to risk their lives. It also asks a series of crucial questions. What are the reasons which motivate young people to join the military? How well do we prepare our troops for battle, and how well do we support them once they're there? Even more crucially, how do we support them once they return?
Robert Taylor turns in a brilliant performance while effortlessly transitioning through the truths of each character. He infuses life and vulnerability into other men's words, while allowing for subtlety and emotional variation. That he resisted the urge to make this controversial subject matter melodramatic is greatly appreciated, with the end result being that it is impossible to take your eyes off of him. The only disappointment with the performance is that it isn't longer, as you want to know more about these men and their stories. But for the thirty minutes that he is on the stage, Robert Taylor is delightful and totally captivating. Paul O'Brien has also supported the piece perfectly with his naturalistic, understated sound design. While setting the tone for the text, the sound lends atmosphere without competing for audience attention. The focus remains where it should be: on the words.
There is a recurring theme of 'youth' in 'I am Woof'. One of Robert Taylor's characters says of enlisting, simply: 'I was young; I don't think I knew what I was getting into'. If we at home were also unaware, we can no longer be after seeing 'I am Woof'. The performance is playing at the Edinburgh Fringe from August 6th through August 14th. If you are going to be in Edinburgh for the festival, I highly recommend seeing it. 5 Stars.
Playing August 6th through August 14th, 2010 at The Space at Surgeons Hall (V53) at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Review written by Megan Hunter for Fringe Review: http://www.fringereview.co.uk/. Artwork by Ben Jarlett.
