Rachel Permann and Martyn G. Krouse in Fat Pig. Image courtesy of Artattack Theater Ensemble.
Artattack Theater‘s new space at Olive and Bolyston is absolutely perfect for the company’s first production there. Neil LaBute’s Fat Pig is all about uncomfortable intimacy, and that’s exactly what the space conveys. The stage is in the middle of the room, with two rows of chairs along opposite walls. As a member of the audience, you are very, very aware that you’re not watching the play alone, but rather serving witness with others in an emotionally claustrophobic environment.
Director Justin Lockwood claims Fat Pig‘s characters are trying to do well, but that’s just not true. LaBute’s characters are always sociopathic at best, psychopathic at worst. And the work itself is typical LaBute: casual cruelty, people being terrible to people, although at least in this play, no one ends up dead or maimed or otherwise physically harmed. Spoiler alert?
Instead, boy (Martyn G. Krouse as Tom) meets girl (Rachel Permann as Helen), and they really like each other–Krouse and Permann both bring some seriously sexy, flirtatious heat. Too bad traditionally handsome Tom can’t get over the fact that Helen has some meat on her bones. Though smart, anxious Helen is ostensibly the titular character, Fat Pig is not so much her story, as the story of everyone’s reactions to her. Tom’s immature work frenemy Carter (Lockwood pulling double-duty and relishing the douche-otype) has his own weight hangups, while a girl at work Tom used to date (Lisa Every as Jeannie) can’t get over the fact that he’d rather date a fatty than her crazy ass. Bland, weak-willed middle manager Tom just doesn’t have a clue how not to care about what others think.
The first act is the stronger of the two, but the whole thing is tense and fairly riveting. It’s an uncomfortable play, and again, the in-your-face setting only makes it moreso. You’re taking in the play while simultaneously taking in others’ reactions across the way, and you can’t help but judge everyone around you by their appearances. Also: You can’t help but hear everyone around you–the actors are well aware of anything being said in the audience–so keep the comments to yerself. Or save them for the actors’ talkback after every show.
- Fat Pig‘s run at Artattack Theater has just been extended through March 20th. It’s a small space, so definitely reserve your seats in advance. Tickets run $14-25. No one under 13 will be admitted to the play, no doy.