Forgotten Baggage: Stories from the Willard Suitcases

Sacred Fools Theater
Reviewed by Vanessa Cate
Through June 24

Created and performed by Robin Walsh, Forgotten Baggage: Stories from the Willard Suitcases brings to life stories inspired by objects found inside vintage luggage.

There are are approximately 400 suitcases from the 1910’s to the 1950’s that belonged to the patients at the Willard State Asylum for the Insane. The suitcases were found and documented by John Cuspin. Walsh has created incredibly detailed replicas of some of these suitcases, but she’s disregarded the fascinating element of context, and instead has created scenes inspired solely by the objects themselves.

Although this project resembles a child playing with toys, there are some very inventive moments. Still, this is very much a work in progress, in which it’s blatantly obvious how much the show could have gained by having a director.

Forgotten Baggage: Stories from the Willard Suitcases, Sacred Fools Theater @ Studio, 1078 Lillian Way, Hollywood; Performances Friday June 17 8 p.m. & Friday June 24 11:30 p.m. https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/3411 Running time: Approximately 30 minutes with no intermission.