How To Build A Better Tulip
**
It's a cracking idea for a play: an ambitious blend of genealogy, gardening, genetics and ghosts, with a generous nod to Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit.
Sadly writer/director Mark R Giesser has planted more than he can harvest, which makes for a frustrating, confusing night at the theatre.
Loosely based on Alexandre Dumas' The Black Tulip, it sees rival contemporary plant scientists feuding in a greenhouse over their bid to create a black tulip - the holy grail for tulip fanatics.
From the 17th Century, many have tried but, despite prize money of 10,000 Guilders, (unclaimed and accumulating interest) it has been an elusive quest.
So, will modern horticulturalists, with access to genetic manipulation, succeed - or merely murder each other with a shovel? By the end of the play, I still have no idea. Described in the blurb as witty and “fast paced,” it turns out to be the theatrical understatement of the year.
Perhaps to inject a dose of anarchic energy, the cast rattle through the over complex storyline leaving the audience bewildered as the plot develops like a culture in a Petri dish. Comprehension isn’t helped as, over the 90 minutes, the characters yell non-stop at each other.
Early into the second half, a chap behind me, in more than a stage whisper, announced “I still have no idea what is going on!"
The cast were committed, and enthusiastic but struggled with a script that was trying to be too clever.
The handling of the ghosts living in character's heads however was great fun - despite some seriously dodgy Dutch accents. As intelligence services got involved, and a Police Sergeant arrived to investigate eco-terrorism, I gave up, preferring to enjoy the evening as a retro Whitehall farce – but not in a good way.
This Highgate venue remains the most hospitable theatre in north London - which almost made up for a disappointing evening.
How To Build A Better Tulip runs until November 20, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate. https://www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com/
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