A city in the distant future. Everyone owes allegiance to, everyone is cared for by, everyone has their role in maintaining The Vine. Compulsory vapourisation at 50 keeps the population numbers in check, and their belongings recycled for further use. The three staff of Pod 17 take the items of the deceased and allocate them to the appropriate places. Life is simple, predictable, regimented.
When one 50 year old, Bernard, escapes his fate and goes on the run his belongings exert a strange influence on the women of Pod 17, and they too take off, seeking Bernard, avoiding capture by The Vine. Removed from their comfort zone they must deal with wholly alien experiences - like books, alcohol, dancing and babies. Can they break free unconditionally, or will the pull of The Vine draw them back?
Using simple storage cubes and clever movements that suggest level upon level, room after room, the set feels like a cross between Fritz Lang's metropolis and Huxley's Brave new World. Our protagonists are in identical jumpsuits and platinum blonde wigs, characters erased, now finding a way to emerge. Although there is some dialogue much of the action is mimed or acted out wordlessly. Despite the sinister nature of the pursuit the action is frequently very funny, especially in their encounters with the new, and all 3 show a talent for physical comedy.
At times baffling, frequently inspired, consistently watchable, it's an enjoyable journey through a scary world, well choreographed and with slick production and tech. It's always a pleasure to watch something surprisingly different, and WTHIB fits into that category. I loved it.
This was the final performance of Where the Hell is Bernard? in Fringe 2018.
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