Black Stuff

Topicality is one of those elusive qualities that can make, but never break Fringe productions. The problem is that, while Black Stuff is topical and relevant, as a production it falls frustratingly short.

Black Stuff depicts a world at the brink of a global oil and financial crisis. On their honeymoon, fresh-faced young couple Sophie and Justin become stranded in the Mexican desert after running out of fuel. Necessity and a healthy dose of "it’s an experience!" syndrome entice them to stay the night at a petrol station, waiting for a fuel delivery. Of course, the fuel will never arrive and we watch the couple, along with creepy petrol attendant Pasquale (played by Toni Artega), pushed to their limit, fighting for survival in this Brave New World.

It’s not that this play is bad – it’s not. It just could be a lot better. Take Sophie and Justin – the newly-wed couple who in the course of the play are torn apart in their battle for survival. It’s not their fault, they’re a product of their society; we only have greed and consumerism to blame. Well, that’s the moral we are supposed to take. It’s just all too obvious.

Topical plays work because they hold a mirror up to society and leave us shocked at own warped reflection; Black Stuff replaces the mirror with a pre-prepared image. This anti-consumerism, anti-oil message is further drummed into the audience at the end when Artega walks off stage and, in lecture-fashion, reminds us that a world without oil is just round the corner and the Edinburgh festival can’t continue if we keep abusing our world. This is of course very true but it rather insults the intelligence of the audience. Black Stuff is exasperating; its lack of subtly betrays seriousness of its message.