The Family (Semiankii)

The Family (Semiankii)

Written and interpreted by Teatr Licedei
Hackney Empire
Running Dates: 9th September – 27th September

Reviewed by Rachel Sheridan for whatsonstage.com

Teatr Licedei origins lie in political physical theatre with past works including a manifestation against nuclear danger. In recent years however they have turned their hand to clowning, which in today’s current climate is actually incredibly apt.

The Family (Semianyki) aims to explore daily Russian life through depicting a family of six with four naughty children, their grumpy father and pregnant mother, who still craves romance with her husband.

Initially The Family is akin to a great big toy box full of all your favourites: silly costumes, crazy hair and make up and a stage strewn with brick a brack. However it’s when you play with these toys that the fun really starts and sadly Teatr Licedei and I have very different ideas on what constitutes fun.

The action primarily revolves around a father who is constantly threatening to walk out on his family as he reaches the end of his tether with his naughty children. This is certainly realistic but a little strange for a children’s show. Scene after scene depicts their various antics, some of which make sense others which are completely random; pillow fights, conducting an imaginary orchestra and drawing on an invisible blackboard to name a few.

There is also a strange mix of naturalistic performance integrated into the clowning with the mother constantly dancing in a sexual manner trying to seduce her tired husband. The use of some props also felt a little uneasy at times with guns and saws used to threaten violence and the children smoking their father’s cigarettes to antagonise him. Returning to the main focus of the play, this may be reflective of life in Russia and whilst it is executed in a silly manner it doesn’t always feel suitable viewing for children

One may say that this is the perfect show for children as the way in which kids play is nonsensical. However with a running time of two hours, some structure is necessary to hold a child’s attention and whilst the children in the audience certainly seemed to be amused it was not by any means the enchanted audience that other kids shows such as The Gruffalo can achieve. Although I have to comment that Act 2 does redeem itself slightly with a great deal of audience interaction, yanking back the attention of any children whose minds have clearly started to wonder.

A show for kids, perhaps, but unfortunately my inner child was not enticed out by The Family.