Blue / Orange ::: Courtyard Theatre, London

From the off in this play the agency and authority of the three characters is flirted with, ambushed and at times humiliated. Paranoia, about ones views and how they are received, drives this charade: the first scene features a heady confrontation just about held under the auspices of the ‘doctor-patient’ relationship as to whether the patient can have a drink of coca cola. Subtle attacks flow back and forward, whilst all the agents of the situation – consultant psychiatrist, senior house officer, patient - play the game.

This charade exposes the vacuity of the psychiatrists moral authority, and shows us that what really goes on in this system, to quote Adam Phillips, is some kind of “protection racket…..where we only hear the same old story”, of blame and humiliation. The situation exists on the borders of things, documenting mugging, splits in authority - within and without – and social processes: it is somehow very relevant that the patient is black, and that both doctors are white. Even the set design – a café table and two chairs, encircled by a white line aka some kind of gym situation, with two prescribed ways in and out, complimented by a watercooler – lends itself to supporting the animation.

To an extent ideas of cultural oppression – I thought of Franz Fannon – are animated, with the shit going round in the situation, each attempting to dominate the other in a bid for some kind of temporary illusion of freedom from the constrictions of their boundaries, a relief from the collisions of negotiation. The music’s also interesting, designed by Jonathan Bidgood, taking inspiration from Brian Eno’s seminal ‘Music for Airports’, and it reminded me as much, if not more so, of Taylor Dupree’s output on 12K etc.

“Music for Psychiatric Hospitals” attempts to follow the same logic. The sounds are soothing, calm and smooth. The textures evolve unremittingly, but without any violent alterations, shifting in a manner almost imperceptible. Repetition of phrases creates a soothing familiarity, while constant, subtle, alteration engages the mind and draws it with the flux of the sound. If you enjoy the music, or are looking for some ambiance for your psychiatric hospital, an album version of Music for Psychiatric Hospitals is available in the lobby.”

Jonathan Bidgood, 2006.

www.fervent-theatre.com

November 2006