Writer and Director: Matthew Lyon
A Small God opens with a playful, poetic spoken word piece exploring the essence of being a writer. Through a collection of poems and reflections, performer Matthew Lyon narrates his life story and the inspirations behind his writing.
Lyon’s writing is marked by clever wordplay and skilful use of rhythm, capturing the frenetic pace of the protagonist’s thoughts. The text is rich with details of life, using a witty tone, sharp humour, and philosophical prompts to engage the audience. However, the performance lacks a cohesive narrative and a clear purpose, rendering the autobiographical elements somewhat self-indulgent.
In the hands of a different performer, Lyon’s writing might have been more impactful. Unfortunately, Lyon’s flat tone and awkward pauses undermine the richness of the text. Forgetting lines only accentuates his lack of embodiment of both text and character. The spoken word piece, which breaks the fourth wall and aims to build a relationship with the audience, lamentably suffers from Lyon’s insufficient command of the stage and gravitas.
The direction is clumsy, relying on forced, over-explanatory gestures to visually narrate the text. A fleeting poetic moment, where Lyon hangs scribbles about muses on napkins and unopened poll cards, hints at the potential the direction could have achieved. However, this moment cannot redeem the otherwise unimaginative staging and the constant pacing and stilted blackouts between scenes reflect uninspired direction.
At one point, Lyon discusses the need to write due to dissatisfaction with existing performances, whether they are stifling classics or ‘spewing’ new works. This ironically highlights how A Small God falls victim to the very issues it criticises, lacking a clear narrative and purpose. Lyon has undeniable talent as a writer and in the hands of the right performer, director and dramaturg, his spoken word has the potential to truly engage the audience.
Runs until 28 July 2024
Bitesize Festival runs until 28 July 2024
