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Venice and water are the key themes at Chichester this year. Designer Alison Chitty has turned the main stage into a pool containing 9,800 litres of water, which can be covered or revealed as needed. But, although it is an innovative installation, it cannot disguise the lightweight nature of Gale Edwards's production.
Each scene is played on a series of rearranged wooden islets. This is appropriate for Venice, but destructive of narrative fluidity. And, in order to cover each restructuring of the stage by the gum-booted crew, Edwards creates a whole series of visual distractions.
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