What a tasty little morsel Fiji turned out to be. Taking the issue of consensual relationships to the limit of gastronomic taste probably doesn’t sound like a fun night out, but with a light touch we are drawn into the world of Sam in this play by Pedro Leandro, Eddie Loodmer-Elliott, and Evan Lordan, writes Susan Hallissey…
Starting off like any other awkward date you are made aware of the premise of the piece as subtle hints are dropped.
Sam(Pedro Leandro) arrives at Nick’s after placing an online message for a date to ‘Eat Me.’ He has found his match in Nick(Eddie Loodmer-Elliott), who has dreamt of this moment for twenty years and cites the Armin Meiwes case of a German computer repairman who killed and ate a voluntary victim in 2001. They are to spend the weekend together before the feast actually begins. This gives us time to witness a relationship begin and a contract Nick has prepared signed.
The tone of the play is pitched well and with the humorous dialogue both characters manage to be captivating and charming, even though the dreaded outcome and subject matter should make us feel anything but empathy.
Nick’s character is not given any quirky or weird attributes and works as a nursery teacher. I guess the overriding cannibalism thing is psychopathic enough. He talks of climate change and how this could be the way forward.
Nick’s description of how he would dismember Sam’s body is stomach-churning and his excitement when he finds that Sam speaks several languages is palpable, as he is hoping that once eaten, Sam will become a part of him and his language skills will improve.
The play is interspersed with 36 questions on how to fall in love. Nevertheless, the overriding issue of why Sam would choose this course of action is not fully explored. We learn through the questions that his relationship with his mother was cold and his father is briefly mentioned. Even if we did know, would we understand? As Sam says, he is prepared to give in to his desires and not resist.
If it sounds dark it was, but the acting, the writing, and the comic timing along with the direction are quite a delectable combo!
Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common North Side, SW4 0QW until March 25th
Box Office: www.omnibus-clapham.org – 0207 498 4699