Theater review: ‘Liquid’ at Unknown Theater

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For a truly nutty stage experience, it’s hard to beat the eco-romantic farce ‘Liquid’ at the Unknown Theater in Hollywood.

This comedy about two scientists stranded by a tsunami features risible dialogue, atrocious acting and a barely intelligible plot. The production’s awfulness may be deliberate, but then again, it might not be, which is what makes this a fascinatingly failed experiment in anything-goes theater.

Written by Brenda Varda, ‘Liquid’ follows the adventures of Odam (Kyle Ingleman) and Nevah (Daniella Dahman), two scientists working in the same laboratory on a remote Pacific Island. When a tsunami washes them out to sea, both must find a way back to civilization with the help of anthropomorphic dolphins, mer-people and a flotilla of waterborne senior citizens.

The production references the Old Testament, ‘The Tempest’ and the 1995 movie ‘Waterworld.’ Its vision of a planet in complete ecological meltdown is often marvelous to behold, thanks to some clever visual effects by director Chris Covics.

Audiences who show up under the influence will likely find a lot to love about ‘Liquid.’ The rest of us will probably walk away wondering exactly how much of the play’s kamikaze aesthetic was intentional.

-- David Ng

‘Liquid.’ Unknown Theater, 110 Seward St., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 6 p.m. Sundays. Ends Oct. 3. $18. (323) 466-7781. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.