This very original and inventive piece is ostensibly about market research, and focus groups in particular, but it’s more than that – it’s sub-title is ‘How to stare down and transfigure loneliness’. It’s created by Stu Barker, Clare Dunn and Terry O’Donovan, who also perform, but it says it’s ‘after’ deceased American novelist David Foster Wallace, though I’m not sure why.
The audience are in two banks of seating, facing each other. Whilst one is the focus group, in the first instance being asked questions about a food brand, the other is being asked to spot types and characteristics in the audience facing them. You can’t entirely hear what they are saying on the other side, intentionally. There are further sessions where each group has a different task. In between, the relationships of the three researchers and their absent boss unfold whilst they play table-tennis, but the focus is mostly on Terry, whose life we peer into in more detail in a series of rather haunting impressionistic scenes. Eventually we get to sample and give feedback on a new cake!
It’s very clever in the way it draws you in and engages you. The participation isn’t in the slightest bit uncomfortable. The jollity of the focus groups is an extraordinary contrast to the dead silence during Terry’s story. There’s insight into market research, but more than that. I’m still processing it.
Only two more performances, but on tour later in the year. Do catch it.
Gareth's Culture and Travel Blog 
Leave a Reply