The Experiment

The Experiment doesn’t quite hit the mark but it is not without merit. The hour-long piece is like a contemporary multimedia horror movie that revolves around the idea of experimenting on a child to save the lives of others.

Inspired by the writings of ethicist Peter Singer, British playwright Mark Ravenhill’s script is accompanied by composer David Chisholm’s eerie and at times jolting music.  

It is technically interesting with great lighting and sound and creepy flickering images of empty homestead verandahs and torture rooms. The images and sound and lights work well to create the sense of something awful about to happen. But the narrative is fragmented and any message behind the show is never made clear.

Guitarist/narrator Mauricio Carrasco is the only person on stage talking about the family and the decisions made that led to the experiments on their child. His voice is layered with electronic sounds and there’s a guitar piece performed by robotics.

The Experiment was first performed as a monologue as part of Southwark Theatre’s Grand Guignol Terror 2009 season. At Carriageworks a few people walked out after 20 minutes. I stayed until the end – but an hour was definitely enough. 

Carriageworks Bay 20 (finished)