Train Lord is a true, one man show narrating the fallout of a ten month, all-consuming migraine. But even when the pain releases its grip, Oliver can not let go of the anxiety filled life it shaped for him. Oliver found solace working on the railways, heeding the breadth of stories, beginnings and ends that haunted the trains.
The show is written with honesty and shows its strength in endearing moments of striking levity. The little jokes, the quirks he brings to his train job, the gutsy choice to dance along to a multi-song mashup sung from his own voice. I did appreciate that an impromptu boozed up orgy serving as the background to an episode of panic is uniquely bizarre.
However, the majority of the darker moments are much too saturated in clichéd language to make the impact the show needs. While it’s true a level of cliché is unavoidable, I waited for something to cut through it. The choice of music could have sliced up the cliche, but instead the soundtrack is one in itself, only reinforcing it.
The show could use some invigorating devices to keep the story alive. Perhaps a more pointed, intentional, purposeful revamp to the physicality that accompanied the words.
Instead, the empty stage and simple lighting meant the show relies on the one man to fuel the entire one man show. An hour of slender deviation from a sleepy, drowsy inflection and tone of voice paired with semi-cooked physical expression does not work to the story’s advantage.
The story is full of great nuggets, with an infinite potential to explore the worlds of hurt that persist after hurt. The performer was abundantly sincere, and with a bit more work this show is on its way to saying what it needs to say.
Train Lord
19:20 @ theSpace at Niddry St – Studio
Aug 5-12
