White-tablecloth restaurant devolves into magical chaos

For those eschewing spoilers, look away now. American theatremaker Geoff Sobelle's magic theatre Food runs on surprise and chaos - glassware smashed to smithereens on the ground, and moulded earth models of bison seemingly materialising out of thin air.

- Clement Yong

THEATRE FOOD Geoff Sobelle Singtel Waterfront Theatre Aug 6

Sobelle transforms from penguin-suited waiter to competitive eater that would put even the best mukbang (South Korean live-streamed eating) hosts to shame. It is a devastating and bodily experience of how far humans have strayed from their evolutionary roots, the cost of endless building, and the unseen exploitation involved in the mundane ritual of dining in a restaurant.

Part of the Esplanade Theatre's The Studios season centred on the theme of sustenance, Food forgoes conventional narrative. Its target is always maximum visual impact — and even a tinge of fear in the audience, who can never be certain how violent Sobelle's next act will be.

There is absolute commitment, and then some, by Sobelle and his team, whether serving up raw ingredients or fast-forwarding through human civilisation, from agrarian to industrial.