Riot

With its young ensemble, stage littered with props and bizarre subject matter, Riot could be an overly ambitious school play. Thankfully, due to a snappy script, great cast and innovative staging, The Wardobe Ensemble from Bristol have come up with a satirical piece of theatre as original as it is compelling. With costume and scene changes taking place in full view of the audience, the actors showcase a professionalism beyond their years, and the creative use of props and lighting is—in places—nothing short of astounding.

It takes place in 2005, on the opening night of a new branch of a well-known Swedish furniture store (the name is never mentioned, but the references to meatballs should give you a good idea). The action follows the riots that ensued as the doors opened and 6,000 people stormed the maze-like interior. Using lamps to illuminate the stages of chaos, various scenes are created using only folding chairs and physicality. Romances blossom, fists fly and the cast throw themselves around the space portraying both the co-workers and the bloodthirsty throngs.

The choreography captures the desperation of those fighting over furniture and throwing punches over plantpots, and the sound effects—often created by the actors with instruments, loops and warbled singing—add to the claustrophobic atmosphere. A musical-esque song is perhaps unnecessary considering the varying quality of the cast's voices and the final monologue is a little jarring, but this barely detracts from a well-directed, well-choreographed and well-performed hour of truly original theatre.