Perffection @ Zoo Roxy

It’s an issue almost as old as time: the strive for physical ‘perfection’ as dictated by magazines and societies stereotypes. Yet there’s often more to it than the struggle to attain that body image, a more deep rooted issue in the mind, never seeing the body in its true form but always seeing the imperfections, the changes needing made.

Clay Elephant Theatre company’s devised piece Perffection (sic) looks at the relationship of He and She - her body issues trouble their relationship - and Woman, who is learning to overcome the very same problem.

Written by (and starring) Charlotte Josephine, this performance is frantic, full of intensity and reaching out to those who have experienced the same loneliness, fear and pretence as these women have. Leanne Govier plays She – having also directed the movement in the production. Her movement with He (played by Christopher Bird) explores their intimacy and affection sensitively.

This piece plays like devised theatre, breaking down the barriers of ‘traditional’ theatre as they directly converse with lighting and their sound manager performing on stage, reminding us – albeit humorously – that we are just watching theatre after all. However, this doesn’t dampen the emotive feel of the performance, with numerous audience members sobbing as they leave the show proving that the strive for perfection is a common concern.