7 Needs

7 Needs (as described in the Fringe booklet) is seven short plays based on Maslow's hierarchy of human needs — hunger, shelter, sex, safety, belonging, respect and spirit.

Hunger is a modern version of Jack & The Beanstalk with the mother of Jack portrayed as a junkie. It was a powerful little number evoking emotions of laughter, sorrow and empathy as Jack's mother accused him of stealing and bringing home strange animals before finally telling him that she loved him.

Shelter was a story about manipulation, gambling and the devastating affects that can happen to those who have messed up so badly that going to jail is one of the only possible outcomes to ensure that there will be a roof over their head.

Sex was presented in the form of a lawyer disillusioned by life, by the divorces of others and the death of his own relationship — "so much hate in love".

From here, it got a little confusing. The next play was about a woman who wanted to become a fellow in the Royal Geographical Society. The one after that was about a petulant child who did not seem to have the love and respect of her mother (who was not a nice character).

The next play portrayed an awful woman who was refusing to help her carry her grandmother up the stairs so that she could see from the top of the Great Wall Of China — it left people wondering what just happened.

All in all, it was enjoyable, but definitely a little strange. While the actors were very talented, a little fine-tuning needs to be undertaken so that people aren't left scratching their heads when they walk out... especially after such a powerful start.