Let the show commence.
As Anna imaginatively observed the new and empty compost bin
looked like a stage set ready for a magic show to start.
With some first night nerves the players have now begun to
assemble. The boards they are treading on are made of black bamboo sticks. This
foundation layer is there to allow air to circulate and be open enough to let
earthworms come up from the stalls and participate in the whole composting
event.
I think we can visualise this first act of the show as of
similar epic scope as the beginning of the Olympic opening ceremony. So here we
have a general accumulation of earthy peasants pleasantly going about their bucolic
lives. First a layer of old weeds appears accompanied by a sobering mix of torn
newspaper. Then the excitement increases when the first mound of kitchen waste enters
stage right. This adds a colourful, fruity tone to the show that the fruit
flies (who have been queuing round the corner all night to be sure of the cheap
seats) particularly appreciate. Lastly a generous mound of jasmine clippings swarms
onto the set. Although their sweet nitrogenous nature is tempered with cardboard
from pizza boxes the stage manager worries the jasmine will start saying their
lines too quickly and will end up in a mushy mess of incoherence.
So we haven’t yet got to the part of the show where Kenneth
Branagh turns up in a top hat - the assembling of green peasants will run for a
few more weeks - but all in all it looks a good beginning.
And the critics seem to be favourable
