We are first introduced to a comical and hungry tramp character who comes onstage accompanied by a cacophony of sounds, including angrily barking dogs, howling wind and a grumbling stomach. The set, which looks like a jumble of junk, is scattered with metal objects, walking eggs, and a large sign that clearly tells everyone to ‘STAY AWAY!’
Completely ignoring the sign, the tramp soon finds what he thinks is food and, after gulping it hungrily down, begins regurgitating little coloured balls – one after the other. Realising he is all alone in the world and in a strange place, the tramp creates a new ‘friend’ to keep him company while he performs a series of impressive tricks including object manipulation with hats, balls and brooms.
But when the tramp wants to put his hat on, we begin to see just how complicated an easy thing can become. Using a contraption that looks like a giant interpretation of the old Mousetrap game, the tramp sets up the complex machine to assist him in this simple task; it quickly becomes obvious that each part must work in a precise order if his hat is ever to get on his head.
But then that’s the whole point of the show. It’s not about re-inventing the wheel; it’s about squaring it, and by doing so making it more difficult than it has to be.
After getting my head around the fact that a record was being played by a toy car, I was soon enjoying the invitation to help the tramp in making some live music. Using metal pipes of varying lengths, plastic and paper bags, and the clapping of our hands, the audience was led in an abstract version of ‘Ode to Joy’.
Finally we were introduced to the piece de resistance, otherwise known as the jumble of junk in the background. Another brilliant contraption – made this time for conveying balls – it came with its own set of complicated construction instructions that need to be followed to precision. With the use of toys, pipes, and counterweights, both the tramp and the audience were soon revelling in the excitement of what this contraption could do.
While at times Squaring the Wheel seemed to be a little slow moving, and with its illusionary aspects possibly more successful in a darker space (think a smaller version of a Philippe Genty show), there is no doubt that Jens Altheimer is a master of object manipulation and clearly a contraption-building genius.
A comical visual feast which simply has to be seen to be believed.
Rating: Four stars
Squaring the Wheel
Devised and Performed by Leo Cartouche aka Jens Altheimer
The Space Dance and Arts Centre, Prahran
September 29 – October 9
Melbourne Fringe Festival
September 21 – October 9
