Special Nothing

The picture used to illustrate Special Nothing in the Aurora Nova programme depicts an actor brandishing a giant rubber penis.

Your reaction to this image is probably a useful indicator as to whether you will find this performance entertaining or infuriating.

Perhaps it's intended to be neither; perhaps both. Perhaps the play's obsession with the contents of Andy Warhol's pants merely reflects Warhol's own preoccupation. If so, it's as reductive a portrayal of the man as a single Heinz tomato soup can is of his artistic output.

What's much more interesting is the central idea of the piece - Warhol's unfulfilled desire to make a TV show called Special Nothing. His intriguing, exhausting argument that there is, in fact, nothing special is by far the most interesting part of this 75 minute performance.

The show takes its cue from Warhol's diaries, then adds to the mix physical theatre, projected film and still images, and a clever set made of white cardboard boxes.

Repetition was a common feature of Warhol's work - think of his iconic screenprint series - and it's certainly a feature of Special Nothing as well, with phrases spoken and shouted over and over again. And again.

If Andy Warhol was a frustrating man to be around (and by many accounts, he was), then Anton Skrzypiciel's portrayal certainly hits the mark, but fans of the artist may find this 'homage' also provides frustratingly little insight into what was clearly a unique mind.