by Ed Fortune
Weird fiction can be a tough sell to most audiences. Simply saying to someone, ‘Expect the unexpected’ isn’t enough, and yet the easiest way to describe Chris Fung’s new one-man drama, The Society for New Cuisine, is simply to say, ‘It’s really weird, if you like that sort of thing go see it’.
This is a simply staged show in which one performer is every character. The central protagonist of the story is an ambitious young man who is also a little bit clueless. His day job is that of a contracts lawyer, and they are incredibly bored with their life. Their few friends are idiots who see the world through the narrow lens of their own selfish desires and the urge to control whatever they can around them.
And then our hero falls head over heels in love with someone who is every bit their match, who challenges them and makes them want to be greater than what they are. And, of course, it all goes horribly wrong. The inevitable descent into madness, grief, and powerlessness is superbly enacted by Fung. This is an incredibly physical, personal performance that draws the audience into one man’s personal nightmare. There is incredibly weird, intimate horror here; this is a story worthy of David Cronenberg or Dario Argento.
When we are finally introduced to The Society for New Cuisine of the show’s title, it does not disappoint. This is a slow burn, very creepy tale that will linger. Ultimately a story about sacrifice, pain, and self-destruction; this is a powerful and clever work.
It’s also an excellent showcase for performer Chris Fung, who controls this incredibly deep narrative throughout and enthrals the audience until the end. We expect big things from the actor in the future. The stagecraft here is impressive; it’s extremely minimal but just enough to convey the tale. The narrative drifts from the murky streets of London to the exciting nightclubs of Greece thanks to very clever yet simple lighting design.
If you consider yourself a connoisseur of horror, are a fan of A24-style movies or are simply just looking for something different, you should check this out. Fantastically creepy.
We interviewed Chris Fung here. You can book tickets for the show here.
