Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating: * * *

Cast: Mary Pearson

It is difficult to sum up what The Sand Dog Cometh is about, as American writer, actor and director of the show Mary Pearson has created something that is no doubt unique in its entirety. Running for just over an hour, Pearson crams it full with films of derelict Liverpool, sculptures of sand dogs and mad dance sequences. The madness creeps into the audience too, as at one point, popcorn is handed out and the crowd is encouraged to share and to get to know the neighbours, the people that sit with anonymity during the darkness of any theatre production, those we might not normally think of during any trip to the theatre. Pearson too, takes her seat amongst the audience and proceeds to shave her legs whilst serenading audience members.

Pearson describes her show as: ‘A multi-disciplinary solo homage to the avant-garde and to kitsch‘, and it is possible to see that in her collaboration of energetic dance sequences set against the surroundings of Liverpool and its derelict buildings. Inspired by ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture, the idea of snobbery and kitsch are kind of the backdrop to this show and although perhaps this is not for everyone, there is a certain charm to Pearson as she charges around the stage in her underwear.

There is plenty of hard work gone into this piece and the combination of film, dance and music shows of the many talents of Pearson. There is an element of performance art attached that makes it visually engaging but sometimes hard to come to grips with. Nevertheless, there were sufficient giggles from the audience and an experience that will almost definitely be talked about.

Janie Phillips