★★★★★
The expectation of Theodora Van Der Beek’s show at the outset, is that we’re going to be treated to another clowning character comedy. Luckily, the show’s premise is as deceitful as the eponymous Mr Creep. Emerging from a cardboard box chrysalis, this grotesque ham-obsessed pervert is expertly ‘puppeted’ by Theodora, switching in and out of the character throughout.
Van Der Beek mixes strange lo-res videos with performance art, wrapped up in a doc-style feminist lecture. The disparate elements all come together highlighting the serious nature of how creepy people abuse positions of trust, and manage to assault others in plain sight.
Theodora never feels like she is pushing the gross-out elements for their own sake – each sequence is carefully introduced, explaining the nature and reasoning of what she’s doing. The recreation of the Faye Dunaway egg-eating advert was a particular favourite of mine, less so the liquid ham drinking!
Mr Creep is a tragic yet frightening figure. The scenes of voyeurism, late-night breathy phone-calls, and the exposed fake genitals as he does a karaoke rendition of Radiohead’s Creep are so heightened, you go from shock to laughter with the speed of getting whiplash.
The performance is controlled and a warranted examination of ‘being creeped out’, what it means for our society and how it pervades our culture, often all-to-obviously.
I feel Theodora has achieved a response to one of the most difficult subjects in our society, and in doing so revealed uncomfortable truths that would be lost in more conventional and straightforward theatre. You’re unlikely to see anything more inventive at this year’s fringe.
Mr Creep is on at Cinema Room at PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth until August 24th
