Picked by Christopher Shinn is a contemporary piece about the pitfalls of becoming an actor, and how life can be turned upside down at any point in terms of instability of relationships, unemployment and crippling self-esteem issues of being the hottest kid on the block one moment to a virtual unknown in the bubble of Hollywood. The play tackles one man's life changing experience and catapult to fame, and how he neglects his relationship and connections with others through his own insecurity. The piece deals with the complexities of superficial and real human interactions, and how we are all projecting a mirror of ourselves at any stage in our lives. In essence, it is safe to say none of us really know who we are.
The intellectual piece examines how we all lead a double life, off or no screen no matter who we are. The piece is heavily psychological and profoundly deep into how we live as existential beings. What is most poignant with Picked is the juxtaposition of a mutually disrespecting relationship between the director and the actor, combined with an innate self-deprecating quality internally within the actor himself. John (Michael Gilhooly) drives the powerful egotistic energy as the director with a vision and whose self-importance ironically belittles his presence and relationships around him. John captures people's attention with his loudness and creativity, but severly lacks personable qualities that would make him endearing or even bearable to work alongside. Impulse Theatre Company again have chosen a truthful and emotionally charged piece to grapple with, after last week's sublime performance of Top Girls by Caryl Churchill. Picked is a perfect Meisner rooted piece in all its naturalism and intimate exposure, or how a human really behaves behind closed doors when the camera lens is on him.
The acting quality within this piece was second to none, and having seen work by Impulse previously, I can safely say I was not disappointed. Daniel Anderson as Kevin really grappled with the external and more important internal complexities of his character that it must have been emotionally and physically exhausting. The audience was on a turbulent high and low rollercoaster with Kevin and we watched his relationship dissipate, along with the fame and Hollywood connections. What was once an exciting period in his life came to an abrupt finish with no room for continuation. Kevin grappled with emotions of jealousy, success, failure, greed, selfishness and crippling insecurity all within one piece. The anxiety and insecurity resonanted in Anderson's voice, physicality and connection with the other characters. He conveyed a natural reaction of unease in Kevin through his behaviour and body language. I could not take my eyes off this superbly intense and interesting character. Anderson made Kevin so real that one wanted to just take him in your arms, and reassure him that everything is going to be ok.
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