ON the track to recognition, starting blocks can be mounted by starlets alongside peers for whom the way ahead will imperceptibly fork. Tap-dancing artistes who totally know their stuff may get shuffled to Wyoming (or elsewhere) for endless earnest address to non-entities. 

In Lost Soles (★★★★★) at Assembly Roxy, dancing actor Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips seemingly fritters away quite a bit of stage time setting up unprepossessing retro objects and props, nattering amiably the while.

His moderate pace is deceptive. Key moments arise. Abrupt set-pieces convulse with layered information and skill. Such flurries open portals to a world we could fruitfully acknowledge — the world of the unsung.