Incognito

Incognito features three interconnected storylines, and examines what forms a person’s identity - whether it be memories, achievements or relationships. With storylines spanning from 1955 to 2017, four actors play eighteen roles, moving swiftly between characters and storylines.

Sensorily quite stunning, Sarah Christiner has designed a bold set where the three playing areas are distinct, but linked, and decorated with what seems to be visual representations of neural synapses. Great use of colour. Jacob and Lars Jenson support this with an excellent lighting design and Ventilation Productions have provided a thoughtful soundscape.

A fascinating play, where the stories overlap and the plot and interconnectedness is revealed slowly - it demands strong actors who can create up to six distinct characters. Suzannah Churchman is outstanding - from Clinical Neuro-scientist Martha, embarking on a new relationship with a woman, through to Evelyn Einstein, whose relationship to the famous Albert Einstein is made clear, her characters are nuanced and have great depth. Grant Malcolm is also excellent in his multiple roles, including real life pathologist Thomas Stoltz Harvey, who infamously ’stole’ Einstein’s brain, and ‘Anthony’, whose memories have been lost. William Everett-Knight has some very challenging roles including a well played Henry Maison (based on real-life patient Henry Molaison), who is unable to form new memories - living in a permanent present state, as well as many largely expositionary roles, which he plays with distinction. Ruhama Rowe is the only actor not given the central role in a storyline, but plays major roles in each of the plot lines, offering strong support and diverse characterisation. Accents are often the first distinguishing feature of characters in this show - and they are very well handled by all performers.

Excellent use of ensemble - the quartet of performers never leave the stage during the show, which runs a fraction under two hours without an interval.

This show offers great food for thought about memories, knowledge and imagination and the way the human brain functions. While not for everyone, it will be embraced by fans of Oliver Sacks, and those who like shows that leave you thinking. A very tight, superbly performed piece of theatre.

Kimberley Shaw