Review: ‘The Roadless Trip’ – “Promises to lift you up even when you’re 
broken down”

I like innovative theatre. Something different from just reciting lines and using props as we are accustomed to seeing them. That is one of the key reasons why I have been a fan of productions shown at Warwick Arts Centre since I became a student, particularly the more independent ones taking place in The Studio. The most recent I saw there is The Roadless Trip, which ended up being a delight that I did not fully expect it to be.

As its tag for the promotion goes, Sarah, her daughter Lil and their production manager John deliver on the promise of “(lifting) you up even when you’re broken down”. By now I’ve seen a fair share of unconventional British productions, from Birmingham to Stratford and Leamington Spa. The Roadless Trip is a delightful mix of personal experiences, video montages, humour, and passion.

It is the simple dreams which resonate with me the most

The key premise of this particular show, which has been evolving since its inception back in 2014 and changed its formula ever since, is asking ordinary people about their expectations of the future and what they would save for a suitcase to take into 2030. The show brings a bright smile to your face when you ponder on the responses from a wide array of people videotaped, some of whom came personally to the premiers of the shows around the country. It is the simple dreams which resonate with me the most, the need for hope and happiness, and shy smiles shot at the camera when native Britons and immigrants of various generations exchange their viewpoints, experiences and recipes for the future.

The other, more tangible and hilarious aspect of the show is the trouble the crew faced on their way to interviewing people in Lancaster. They recreate the endless trip along the M6 which they tried to make in an ambulance bought off eBay and converted into using substitute oil to reduce its carbon footprint. The journey turns into the titular “Roadless trip” soon enough, as the car keeps breaking down and has to be finally hauled to its destination. It is a very enjoyable part of the show, which the crew intercepts with quips from interviewees, their acting and finally videos of a historical re-enacting society (it is as hysterical as it sounds) who portray their struggles with the car and overall stress of being stuck on the motorway for around 12 hours when you should have been in bed by 10pm.
It is refreshing to see something so contradictory in nature, different from a usual theatre experience and improvisation which I myself do as an extracurricular. Scripted and yet featuring unrehearsed dance routines, utilising live sound effects and dubstep for a musical score, mixing true events and interviews about the future, and finally turning briefly into a game show with participation from the audience and actual prizes, it is surprisingly delightful to experience.

we all need a ray of sun once in a while

The more you think about it, though, the more cliché it gets to keep hearing children speak about inequality and adults reassuringly saying that love will fix the world. However, we all need a ray of sun once in a while, and I believe The Roadless Trip to be that unabashedly optimistic, sunny smile you want to see to feel better before spring comes back to the UK. All in all, truly recommended if you are feeling down and need a cheeky pick-me-up whilst having a bit of a philosophical discussion with yourself.

Because, what would YOU pack if you could wake up in 2030?