London Fringe 2005: The Body

The Body is one of two standout one-person shows I’ve seen at this year’s Fringe (the other being Jekyll & Hyde, of course). Andrew Zadel has written a story that takes several characters on both literal and figurative journeys, and the audience on yet another: pay attention. Lydia Zadel in turn does a great job of portraying the individual strengths and vulnerabilities of each of those characters; she makes it her show from start to finish, somehow even giving life and personalities to her characters’ unseen companions (and tormentors, past and present). When she stares into the audience at crucial moments there’s the unsettling sense that she’s looking right into your soul… and perhaps she is.

This one’s high on my list of performances to see again.