The Camden Fringe blurb tells us “Killjoy Theatre is proud to present Russian Roulette, a deeply personal, abstract depiction of eating disorders and their relationship to systemic misogyny.”
Including audience participation in the form of volunteers, to take part in the game, Russian Roulette opens with a MC (Jules Luchs) then heads into a movement piece with two women. Its deeply abstract nature allows difficult topics to be explored.
This is theatre that is deliberately brave and vague, offering a depiction of inner turmoil and outside pressure. Experimental, occasionally bewildering, and always watchable, this show is anything but safe.
Eating disorders and misogyny are the topics at the heart of Russian Roulette, in which the actors (Venice Billia – Gorl, Christina Leitner – Shadow, and Erica Gouveia – Femme Fatale) offer sharp and specific characterisations.
Symbolism is utilised throughout, with fruit playing a particularly potent part. Focusing on the mental impact of eating disorders rather than the physical, Russian Roulette is more than simply foregrounding the ‘victim’.
There is a definite focus on movement, though, directed by Krystine Papathomidou. Outside of the world inhabited and endured by the Girl, the ‘game’ is afoot which is where the audience comes in.
Directed by Angelina Voznesenskaia, this show is not always easy to follow, but it feels exceptionally personal and offers a different perspective to an issue that disproportionately affects women.
3.5*
Russian Roulette was part of this year’s Camden Fringe.
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I reviewed this show from a recording provided by the company.