Christopher Harrisson is a talented theatre maker, writer and illustrator. He was previously co-artistic director of Rhum and Clay Theatre Company where he created and performed in several touring shows. He also teaches, writes, designs artwork and does animation. The North! The North! is his first solo show and it displays many of these skills. It’s a dark, contemporary myth about England; it begins with a phone call and some shocking news. A young man embarks on an extraordinary, surreal journey; returning from the lights of the city to his roots in the north… a reckoning awaits. Take a child’s fairy-tale of bad princes and good mothers; add some guns and gore, humour and fantasy; serve with a twist of The League of Gentlemen and you might get the idea.
Harrisson greets the audience as they enter and straightaway we get the impression that this is a personal story. He seems an affable, friendly chap. The sort of guy you might want to have a drink with; he smiles as he starts to tell you his tale: “I’m gonna tell you a story of a land that used to be…” We get the sense of a child of the 80s; dancing in nightclubs or raves, a bit of a drifter. This boy is dressed simply, in jeans and a hoody. We find out that he has left his home in the north and travelled to London; there must be a reason. Perhaps to find something? or maybe to escape from something? or someone? Harrisson does well to keep us guessing; there is a sense of mystery and ambiguity that runs through the show.
There is delicate music in the background as Harrisson narrates the tale. Animations are projected onto cleverly placed objects: the workshop desk at centre stage, the boxes, the drawers and the plastic film all act as screens. They are also the props that fashion each scene, each chapter, as Harrisson dances, flails and occasionally writhes. He seems to stalk the audience; at times his face lit by torches and desk lamps and then fading into the darker corners of the stage. The spoken words, like a prose-poem, become more lucid as the story gets increasingly unreal.
Harrisson works hard, alone throughout the show. He’s an engaging and smart performer. But we must also give credit to the creative team behind this performance who have helped to craft an atmosphere of darkness, mystery and enchantment. Director John Walton and designer Rebecca Wood (with lighting by Zoe Spurr and sound by Ben Osborn) have succeeded in blending the assorted theatrical tools to complement Harrisson’s performance effectively. This skilful mélange means you can take what you like from the show. For me it’s a story of the anguish and anger of family life; a boy in search of his wayward father. Overall it’s a visual and visceral show and well worth a watch. ★★★★☆ Adrian Mantle 26th January 2018