Maison Foo – Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin
‘Memoirs of a biscuit tin’ is one of those rarities in the theatre when suddenly you realise you are witnessing something special. Clever, funny and a visual feast, this dynamic young trio truly are an exciting bunch; this is story telling at its best and I urge you to catch this little gem of a performance before it’s too late.
A simple idea, ‘Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin’ is the story about the life of the absent Mrs Benjamin, told from the perspective of her dilapidated house, who are desperately trying to find her. Although this is a surreal set up, one is immediately taken in by the endearing characters of Chimney, Floor and Wall as they try to re-trace her footsteps. In the world of this old and weary house every dying plant, dis-used microwave and dust ridden shelf have a story to tell and due to the contents of a mysterious biscuit tin the life of Mrs Benjamin is revealed, from her first birthday, to a lust-fuelled encounter with a milkman. Through their fearless physical style the ensemble create moments of great slapstick comedy, but this is beautifully underpinned by a sadness that resonates throughout the whole performance as Mrs Benjamin’s eventual isolation and development of dementia is tenderly explored and heart achingly presented.
A simple idea, ‘Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin’ is the story about the life of the absent Mrs Benjamin, told from the perspective of her dilapidated house, who are desperately trying to find her. Although this is a surreal set up, one is immediately taken in by the endearing characters of Chimney, Floor and Wall as they try to re-trace her footsteps. In the world of this old and weary house every dying plant, dis-used microwave and dust ridden shelf have a story to tell and due to the contents of a mysterious biscuit tin the life of Mrs Benjamin is revealed, from her first birthday, to a lust-fuelled encounter with a milkman. Through their fearless physical style the ensemble create moments of great slapstick comedy, but this is beautifully underpinned by a sadness that resonates throughout the whole performance as Mrs Benjamin’s eventual isolation and development of dementia is tenderly explored and heart achingly presented.
The imagery conjured up through the inspired staging and energy of these larger than life performers made ‘Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin’ a true spectacle. Through clever manipulation of a lamp shade and a hat rack, or the introduction of a straw hat a man was instantly imagined and then dissolved just as quickly. A balloon and a bonnet created a mother and a baby and a washing line was enough to suggest gossiping between neighbours. There were also some particularly harrowing images, for example when the bags were worn like masks and the physical torment of dementia was externally realised. These sequences flowed from one to another seamlessly, showing the speed in which time passes but also highlighting the intangibility of memories, and the way the past almost haunts this house that no longer has a present.
What really worked well in this performance was the simplicity of Mrs Benjamin’s life, yes there was a great love and moments of naughtiness but her life was in its entirety normal, unremarkable as most lives are. Therefore ‘Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin’ immediately touches on what we all fear; being forgotten. The true sadness of Mrs Benjamin’s story is there in the foundations of the performance, her life is not told through personal recollections of friends and family but through what is left of her home, the only thing left to prove she even existed. Everyone knows ‘that woman’ everyone has passed a little old lady and not given her a second thought so what Maison Foo have done is given her a voice. They have not patronised their protagonist but presented an honest and sincere observation of ageing and through this enjoyable performance they have enabled this sensitive issue to reach a wider audience.
Many things can be taken from this production, on the surface this is a performance master class and a style that I hope the company will only continue to push and develop in their forthcoming work; but more importantly and profoundly this company seem to have not only a theatrical heart but a genuine soul.
