Photo: Toast Coetzer
Arriving at the theatre to see the conspiracy of clowns’ Pictures of You, one is given a button- badge that says ‘listen with your eyes’. To this could be added ‘look with your ears’ for James Webb has created a loaded and evocative stereo soundscape that accompanies the mimed action throughout this theatrical gem.
Liezl de Kock (as Janet) and Dorian Burstein (as Frank) wear larger-than-life character masks that seem to change expression in the chiaroscuro of the spotlights playing on their rich dappled surfaces. A simple but effective revolving set, together with the masks and a puppet designed by Janni Younge, complete the theatrical kit with which Rob Murray has devised an innovative and riveting 70 minutes of pure theatre.
The themes of security and freedom within love and of that love within the world, forms the basis for exploration for the piece. Frank and Janet are a regular suburban couple. A criminal attack upon Janet in their home derails the relationship, but what it in fact does is bring to a head the routine rut into which their relationship has lapsed. Frank drinks and has fantasies about another woman, brilliantly evoked by a picture on the wall that comes to life, until he realises that Janet is the woman he truly desires.
The story itself is fairly obvious, but the layered rendering and the stage business makes this an elevating theatrical treat.
