Review: An Oak Tree (Young Vic)

Review by Daz Gale

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There have been a couple of times in recent months where I have commented on a show feeling under-rehearsed as a reason why I couldn’t give it a better review - but what if a cast member hadn’t rehearsed at all and has never even read a single word of the play? That is the premise behind An Oak Tree, celebrating its 20th anniversary with a run at London’s Young Vic. But would the quality of this performance impress me or would it all prove too wooden?

First seen in 2005, Tim Crouch’s groundbreaking and influential An Oak Tree sees a meeting between two men after a tragic accident. One of the men has lost his daughter in a car accident - the driver behind that accident is a hypnotist whose show the father has not only attended but is now volunteering for. What will happen when the truth is revealed?

The hypnotist is played by the play’s writer, Tim Crouch. As for the other performer, it’s anyone’s guess! Each show features a surprise performer from a list of previously revealed names. Amongst those taking part in this run at the Young Vic are David Tennant, Mark Gatiss, Meera Syal, Indira Varma, Russell Tovey and Alfred Enoch - if you’re looking to see one of those names in particular, it’s all pot luck as the second performer of that show will only be revealed once it has begun.

At this press night performance, the special guest was star of stage and screen Jessie Buckley. Jumping on stage, she is fed lines from Crouch via a variety of ways - be it him whispering to her or through earphones. Though the lines are set her interpretation of them is up to her and this is what makes An Oak Tree so fascinating and each performance so unique. With the knowledge that no two performances will ever be alike, by the end of this run, 400 different guests will have taken part in the show, each finding their own way to navigate the story of loss, suggestion and the power of the mind.

The use of a hypnotist in the show proves to be a bit meta as both in character and as himself, Tim Crouch suggests, guides and leads his fellow performer - their own freewill is always there though and it is the moments where Buckley broke free of these constraints where another layer to the show was unlocked. As a performer, Buckley has proven time and time again what a powerhouse she is and a testament to her talent is her capabilities without a rehearsal. Though it was hard to know how much of her laughter was breaking character and how much was a choice, the effort she put in to tell a story full of anger and emotion was astonishing to witness.

It would be unfair to review An Oak Tree based on the special guest, however. If I was reviewing tomorrow, it would be completely different so it is the concept that deserved unpicking. It’s all very intriguing, very ambitious and very clever. There is a mutual trust between Crouch and his accomplice for the evening with the knowledge things can go very wrong. Though, with the danger, there is also safety with Crouch reassuring Buckley she can stop at any time.

It’s not quite perfect, feeling quite hard to follow at times and slightly chaotic in its exposition throughout. That said, in little over an hour a fleshed out story with two main characters is told with twists that literally left people surrounding me on the edge of their seat, even if I myself managed to stay further back. It is a speedy watch but the necessity of Crouch explaining to his guest what to do next did slow the pacing down slightly, leaving to prolonged pauses and a story that whizzed ahead one moment and came to a crashing halt the next.

The ambition of the project cannot be faulted. An Oak Tree was one of the more exciting plays I have ever watched. From taking my seat, not knowing who would be joining Crouch on stage to not knowing where the play was going or even if it would all go according to plan. More than just a play, this is an experiment and an experience, and in that respect, it is like nothing I have ever seen before.

An Oak Tree may not be perfect but is is certainly thrilling. From the initial concept to its execution, its biggest success is Tim Crouch himself who proves to be an expert writer, performer and director. This is a beast of a show and one that could go drastically wrong in the wrong hands - it is a testament to Crouch that it all goes relatively smoothly, though knowing that yesterday’s show was different to tonight’s and tomorrow’s will be different again makes the experience all the more exciting. A very unique night of theatre and one even a hypnotist wouldn’t be able to make me forget.

An Oak Tree plays at the Young Vic until 24th May. Tickets from https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/oak-tree

Photos by Pamela Raith