B-File
based on the play by Deborah Levy
Carlton Courthouse, April 4 to 14, 2007
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
This multi-lingual interpretation of Deborah Levy’s play, B-File, is a fascinating blend of political satire, absurdity and movement.
Levy’s text comes in spurts and is deconstructed in much the same way as the characters themselves are.
In a foreign airport -– we assume Germany only because the immigration police speak German - passengers from diverse backgrounds, occupations and countries are interrogated and intimidated by two bullying officers who seem intent on terrifying the travellers. They employ scare tactics, intrusive questioning, ridiculous enquiries, rough searches, belittling attitudes and childish attempt to catch the passengers in a lie.
Their seemingly playful games escalate, becoming more and more threatening. We can easily see this evolving into full-scale violence and abuse of the innocent for the entertainment of the police officers.
The company (Jo Stone, Karen Lawrence, Paolo Dos Santos, Paulo Castro, Silvia Pinto Coelho, Madeleine Lawrence), directed by Castro, creates a startling and vibrant piece of political commentary in this collision of the playful and the menacing. Issues arise about the misuse of power, confusing immigration policy, escalating security precautions, collective paranoia and fear of cultural diversity.
There are moments of delightful absurdity. Just as the interrogations become dangerous, the officers fall into a ludicrous fistfight or contorted dance. They scamper around their victims, taunting them and snickering at their discomfort, buoyed by their own pathetic show of power.
One woman who has no passport hands the officers a recipe instead of travel papers. She pretends to be Japanese, hides in the toilet, falls to the floor and then attempts to seduce both officers. Another is a reticent Portuguese dancer who struggles to understand their antics and language. A third is a depressed Australian who is vigorously quizzed on her Greek language because she was once married to a Greek.
Each is intrusively asked about her lovers and her lovemaking. All have their possessions raided, their word doubted and their privacy violated.
All performances are strong but Paolo Dos Santos as the police officer is particularly compelling. The incongruous intersects with the satirical in B-File to create a unique and engaging production that challenges our view of the truth.
By Kate Herbert
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