Clutter and Contamination - “My life revolves around water”
Based on the pitch – a story about OCD – this is a show I would not have elected to watch; it’s simply not a topic of interest to me. I saw opening night of (so far as I gathered from the program) the first-ever public presentation of this new work. I hope my criticisms come down to it being opening night jitters and/or a piece early in its stage career.
This is a promising new work which offers its audience an authentic insight into the world of the (unnamed) main character (played by Christine Robinson), a woman who suffers from obsessions, compulsions and hoarding. A woman who is also aware of her “logical” side, the side who warns her how crazy some of her actions may be. Playwright, Kayla Hart, has done a great job of sharing very specific details and intimate experiences of living with this disorder: the shower routine, why her family is “contaminated”, and how she manages (or misses out on) social experiences.
There is humour in the play, although my audience was quiet (perhaps due to the frigid temperature of False Creek Gym); the shower tai chi brought an early smile. The first person narrative is handled solo by Robinson, who is best friends with Hart. I think this friendship adds a care to the performance; in no way is the character’s experience belittled by the performer. The carefully sculpted script makes a mouthful (at times) for live performance; I felt Robinson could let go of being word perfect and just allow herself to get caught in the momentum of telling the story. I could see the actress stumble a few times thinking about the words she was meant to say, which meant I wasn’t immersed in the character’s tale throughout. Perhaps the script could also be revised to be more conducive to spoken word. Whether in script or direction, I wanted more pacing, the interchange of speed and pause, and a bit more logic in the scene transitions. The staging was simple and (for the most part) effective: a bucket, a blanket, a pillow, and a chair are all that’s needed to take us around the various rooms of the home and world the character occupies.
While I do find myself preoccupied with where the show can improve, I don’t think I’d care so much if it didn’t show such promise. “Clutter and Contamination” is a compassionate portrayal of the struggles of a real woman; it’s a true story. Moments touch you; the battle between compulsion and logic, losing friends due to the disorder, the inability to hold a well-loved book, or the horrifically vivid example of her washing her hands so much that they crack and bleed. I would recommend this show with caution: it is like a fine wine that’s still a bit young, but if you want insight into OCD for any reason – this will give it to you.
Performance dates and details:
Sept 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14 at False Creek Gym (1318 Cartwright St, Granville Island)
Written by Kayla Hart
Directed by Andrew Wade and Kayla Hart
Performed by Christine Robinson
“Clutter and Contamination: An Obsessive Compulsive Disaster”