Suitcase Show is equal parts weird and wonderful, creepy and compelling, drilling into the heart of what makes storytelling an art form.
Trick of Light’s Ralph McCubbin Howell and Hannah Smith unpack a series of suitcases, each unearthing a different vignette. Every story is told in a different style, mixing together puppetry, light shows, and techniques that might not have names yet.
Just when you think you’ve seen every possible way that a story can be told with cleverly positioned lights and a single pair of hands, McCubbin Howell whips out a fresh way of discovering a tale.
The result is a series of shorts, bound together by Smith’s bored border control character, that feel simultaneously ancient and modern. It’s a style of storytelling that reminds you why it’s so fun: you can laugh, you can gasp, you might even cry, but you’ll undoubtedly have an excellent time.
That’s not to say it’s a laugh a minute. There’s definitely an element of the creeptacular, of horror, sprinkled into almost every story. While some gory bits are played for humour, the final moments will send a chill down your spine.
You’re in safe, capable hands in Suitcase Show, with the duo effortlessly ushering you through each tale, winding together for a compact collection that caters to a wide range of tastes.
There are some topical references woven in, but in a smooth way that doesn’t ram any kind of message down your throat. In a festival full of heartfelt messages, it felt refreshing not to be spoon-fed any specific takeaway.
Walk away with a renewed passion for the climate crisis? Great. Walk away with nothing more than an impressive respect for how dextrous a pair of hands can be? That’s fine too.
Suitcase Show is an easy recommendation for anyone who just loves a good story, so long as you like them a little on the weird side.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
