Written by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith, this short 1971 play about a wannabe rock star and a woman holed up in a room was never meant to make linear sense. That it inhabits a very specific and intimate theatrical space also makes it an alluring prospect for young directors.
Matt Peover's production captures a counterculture headiness and emotional claustrophobia. He is helped by the excellent Ben Duhl and Natalie Turner-Jones, who as Slim and Cavale portray a volatile relationship pivoting on Cavale's attempts to turn Slim into a 'rock'n'roll Jesus with a cowboy mouth'. They oscillate between desire, boredom, inspiration, despair and madness: the most peculiar dimension is the lobster man, who serves them food, and at the end removes his shell - a strange resurrection that mirrors Slim's thwarted search for a similar thing. It makes no sense, but within this excellently judged production it almost does, which is praise of the highest order.
Until Aug 18, BAC, Lavender Hill SW11, Tue to Sat 8.30pm, Sun 6.30pm, £8.75, £5.50 concs. Tel: 020 7223 2223.
Cowboy Mouth
