Go on, admit it – you’ve never heard of the word that forms the title of this show. “Echolalia is the meaningless repetition of another person’s spoken words as a symptom of psychiatric disorder.” How’s that for a contemporary clown performance premise?  

On the BATS Random stage, its creator and performer Jen McArthur has taken her experience of autistic children and spun them into a unique piece of theatre. The set is Echo’s living room, with an old-fashioned radio, a Qantas bag and a large whiteboard the most prominent features. The whiteboard holds in large letters Echo’s to-do list for the day, and this proves central to the theme and action we are to witness.

If you don’t know much about autism, you might be puzzled by the compulsive repetitive nature of counting as our character whirls into action – dusting, tidying objects on her ironing board, hanging up her coat. She dons headphones, turns up her radio and dances to racy music while chanting fragments from overheard television scripts and ads (remember Moccona?). “You are the weakest link” is especially evocative.

Her simple-seeming domestic happiness is interrupted by a phone call. Echo needs a job, wants a job, but to get a job involves an interview, and Sarah, on the other end of the phone, has a possible job offer. But this is the sticking point. “Interview practice” is on the to-do list. She could be a receptionist; she could be a rest home carer. Echo alternately toys with possibilities and checks with us for our reactions.

These interactions form the most revealing and entertaining moments of the performance, as Echo confronts various audience members with questions such as “How old are you?” “Are you married?” “Why not?” “How much money do you make?” All of which illustrate the lack of social niceties so typical of autism.

This is a remarkably conceived piece of theatre – salutary in nature and effect, and quietly poignant. Echo’s physical performance and words are accompanied by NZSL interpreter Angela Murray, and their interaction (developed with Deaf Consultant Kellye Bensley) provides an unusual additional delight.

The story reaches a denouement we wholeheartedly welcome. 

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