Pool (no Water)
By: Mark Ravenhill
Directed by: Eric Levy
Produced by: Ghost Light Theater Company
Audience Rating: R/MA
Running Time: 50 minutes, no intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Unavailable
Sensory Friendly Showing: Unavailable
ASL Showing: Unavailable
Sound Level: Comfortable
Audio/Visuals To Prepare For: Flashing lights
Additional content disclosure: Implied violence and injury, depiction of substance use, sexual content, strong language
Reviewed by: Kyle Lester
Here’s an interesting thought experiment: imagine you are transported to an unfamiliar, nondescript room with white walls and no exits. In the middle of that room are two chairs facing each other. One is empty while the other is occupied by a younger version of yourself, perhaps in your early 20’s. Your only task is to discuss your life’s direction, priorities, relationships, and goals. How do you envision a conversation like that would go? Would you find a kindred spirit in your past self, or would it result in massive disappointment on both sides? Aside from the obvious physical differences (and a much-needed “glow-up”), I’m convinced I’d find a mixture of the two. The staunch beliefs I paraded in my youth have undeniably been transformed by experience and necessity. Similarly, the ride-or-die friendships I enjoyed during those years have since splintered as my youthful theories about life collided with a world obsessed with production. After all, it’s hard to control your legacy when you are what you sell.
Directed by the steady hand of Eric Levy, Ghost Light Theater’s production of pool (no water) presents a visceral, naked indictment of success, vanity, voyeurism, and the toxicity of transactional friendships. Written by Mark Ravenhill in 2006 and corresponding with the explosion of social media, this minimalist piece relies on an ensemble of 5 to explore their interpersonal relationships and group dynamic that began with a common pursuit of art and meaning in an increasingly narcissistic world. Predictably, the group’s nature becomes a warped caricature of itself when one member experiences massive artistic (and financial) success. Narrated by the ensemble, the truth of these relationships is explored when their rising star slips into a coma after an ill-advised plunge into an unknowingly empty swimming pool. As the group gathers around their old friend’s hospital bed, their complex feelings give way to a seemingly innocuous act – a simple photo to document their friend’s tragic circumstance. But with each *click* of their iPhones, what should be a space for genuine concern becomes occupied by something else entirely. Something they can capture. Something they can use. Something they can sell. A product that may ironically bridge the gap between their comatose friend’s success and their lack thereof. But as is usually the case, their twisted motivation becomes their own worst enemy. Eventually, the group’s final act of catharsis removes all pretense of kinship and integrity, proving that the pursuit of art that once unified them has long since evaporated.
Staged in the black box space at Lewisville Grand Theater, Ghost Light’s production relies almost entirely on character-led exposition to convey its story. A few chairs littering the stage and a makeshift hospital bed serve as the only set pieces, with Levy’s cast creating the backdrop through interweaving narrative. The coterie’s history together is a complicated ball of yarn that unravels as each member recounts their shared history leading up to the story’s tragic event. Enough can’t be said of the cast’s cohesion. Taken individually, their performances are impressive enough. However, the ensemble truly functions as one unit. It’s a tall order to ask your cast to carry an entire show through dialogue alone, but these performers jump into the deep end with gusto. While the story’s eponymous pool has no water, I’m happy to report that the cast’s performance holds plenty of it.
pool (no water) sports a brisk length of about an hour with no intermission, which is a perfect runtime for this method of storytelling. Supported by a cast that swims effortlessly through intertwining dialogue, the pacing feels just right to hold the audience’s attention. While this is decidedly not a performance for families, I found its well-crafted message refreshingly honest, and a fantastic way to spend a Saturday evening. As a medium, community theater often gravitates toward impressive dance numbers and saccharine songs about love. There’s no shame in a shallower, feel-good story, but it sure is nice to splash around in the deep end once in a while.
pool (no water) enjoyed a limited run from March 20 - 21. Ghost Light Theater Company’s next production will be The Seagull, a renowned Russian comedy written in 1895 by Anton Chekhov, running from April 17-19. I hope you’ll mark your calendars.
Cheers, and I’ll see you at the next curtain!
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