Living the Dream with ‘The Manikins’ (Review)

The Manikins: a work in progress at The Crypt is a dream, about dreams, like looking into a distorted mirror.

As ‘Tom’, I became the third performer alongside creator Jack Aldisert and Serena Lehman.

Attempting to explain this fluid and dreamlike show, without spoiling anyone’s future experience: you can stay on script or, like me, improvise throughout. There is no three act structure. Sometimes you are not even yourself.

Meeting Jack outside the Crypt, we talk before entering. After the health and safety spiel, Jack states “when the music stops, go through the red curtain” and “just be yourself." I remain ‘myself’ until answering the first question, baffling us all.

“I think he is always playing a character”, Lehman comments about ‘Tom.’

Everything I do gets used against me, throwaway comments and movements are repeated later. Pointing out we did the same Masters, Aldisert smiles “I know. I read your bio.”

My experience is more intense and magnified by Jack appearing to be my mirror image. Dark hair, glasses, tall. Same Masters, same creative passions. If this was a dream and I was told “behold yourself,” I would accept I was younger and American.

The show involves looping scenes, partial scripts and repeated motifs. Same music, same smack of a script in a manilla envelope sliding across the floor.

Is there a way to stop this and break the loop? Yes.
“Do you know what is happening?” I am asked.
“Would it matter?” I respond.

I make some unique choices. Overhearing “we are being observed,” I hide. Like a hero.

Worth noting tickets are from £85, admittedly more expensive than a three hour Punchdrunk show. Yet Punchdrunk had you battling for one-on-one moments. Manikins is created just for you, growing from your willingness to play - or not. I often ask “What is the value of entertainment?” But rarely “What is my value?”

There is talk of restaging in a new venue and it would be a shame to miss out on this unique event.

Could I re-experience this work? Opportunities to make different choices?
To quote the question repeated throughout the show “Have we already done this?”

Of course we have, we will always be doing this.
Dreams loop and repeat.
We can never escape because we were always free.
We remain “just two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl”.
The show doesn’t end just because you leave the theatre.


The Manikins: a work in progress from Deadweight Theatre plays at
The Crypt in London through July 13th tickets are from £85. They are currently sold out.