The Etcetera Theatre has long been a venue that showcases ‘alternative’ shows that push the envelope of what is possible in fringe theatre and on the day that I attended, saw two very different shows that could be said to fit within this description. The first (by Frenchie’s Theatre Company) is the Spark Project. Much like a TV comedy show that has ‘standalone’ sketches, interwoven with others that are interconnected, the Spark Project (performed by Juliette Ridley, Rebecca Keogh and Madison French) takes a wry look at life choices and perspective as one gets older. Highlights of the show include the publically frowned-upon activity (but done anyway) of ‘bitching’ (from its most ‘benign’ to ‘dangerous’ occurences in real life).

On a separate tact, the depiction of life choices – in the form of a gameshow – is very funny (especially the ‘small print’ showcasing the real consequences of said choices…). Through the character of ‘Francesca’, we see how what’s deemed as important changes over time. But is there anything of value in holding onto what’s valued when you’re younger, when the ‘spark’ was present?

The segment of the show that focuses on French as ‘Francesca’ deals with the ‘elephant in the room’ – that of French’s American nationality – and offers pause for thought with its honesty. Anyone who is singled out as ‘the other’ day after day – whether they are living in another country, or by people they encounter in everyday life – will over time be at best, irritated or at worst, permanently have their ‘defences up’. As shown in the show, the character of ‘Francesca’ admits to still feeling raw from certain incidents in childhood that made her feel ‘an outsider’. As an adult, one can turn being ‘distinctive’ into a positive, but a child doesn’t necessarily have the wherewithal to see the distinction or have the ‘tools’ to change things.

Frenchie’s Theatre Company have only just been started out, but on the basis of what they’ve produced so far with its unique, fearless twist on comedy to make salient points, they are worth keeping an eye on in the future.

On the same day,  I also saw Aurélie Freoua’s The Infinity Quest. Adapted and directed by Victor Sobchak, The Infinity Quest isn’t your run-of-the-mill show. Surrounded by a number of her own paintings, we hear Freoua’s poems on relationships past and present while she paints on a sheet of perspex – a two-way medium that allows the audience to see her work-in-progress. Adopting a style that could be described as abstract Fauvism, we see the twist and turns of her life’s journey given form.

The existential musings of Freoua’s life are accompanied by music played by Jackson Wright. But while Freoua plays ‘herself’ on stage, her use of different coloured masks on throughout denote changes in mood and thinking. Wright also adopts one during the proceedings, distinguishing himself from the more ‘passive’ onstage energy of Tom Hilton. By it is Athena Phos as Freoua’s dancing alter ego, who through mask and movement conveys tension with external influences, as well as exhibiting internal poise.

While the show doesn’t follow a linear throughline, The Infinity Quest makes a case for the synergy of all the Arts – each overlapping and ‘feeding’ the other, much like the fabled Ouroboros.

© Michael Davis 2023

The Spark Project and The Infinity Quest ran at the Etcetera Theatre on 9th September.