Optimism
Edinburgh International Festival/Malthouse Melbourne
Either I have just seen something profound or have sat through two hours of useless Austro-French philosophy. Based on Voltaire’s ‘Candide, ou L’optimism’ and with a cast led by the award-winning comic Frank Woodley, ‘Optimism’ sees the eponymous protagonist being thrown out of his utopian home into a dystopian world full of war and greed, making him forever question his optimistic outlook. The theatrics of the piece are huge: at times distressing and frightening, purposefully confusing and sometimes even compellingly twee. The fast surreal pace of the plot can alienate the audience, and the piece focuses more on the philosophy than the humour making the first half slightly disappointing compared with the rest of the play. You’ll be confused, inquisitive and entertained
Royal Lyceum Theatre, 15 - 17 Aug, times vary, prices vary, fpp 20
tw rating: 3/5
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