At Earthfall |
| Earthfall- Stories from a Crowded Room , Chapter, Cardiff , October 30, 2015 |
The audience entered into the auditorium/stage, it was a huge bright white box, and as we moved slowly around with our low chatter we immediately became part of the show ourselves, even before the performers had appeared - or had they? My preference is for a good old-fashioned seat in the stalls where I can enjoy the production as it enfolds before me. But I felt uncharacteristically comfortable in this magic environment, this was to prove to be my most exciting and rewarding experienced of immersive theatre. Like sparkling water, very clear, rhythmic music began to surround us. Many people began, without realizing, to sway to the music. The movement of a young blonde lady, near me, became a little more formal. She was joined by another, we became aware of all eight of the casually dressed performers mingling amongst us. They quietly moved us toward the white walls creating a large space in the middle of the floor. The music quickened into a very fast heartbeat, the dancer exploded before our eyes. This strong, rhythmic, precise and remarkable athletic movement was a key element of the performance, often it took our breath away. It wasn’t simply anonymous movement there was always a clear emotional contact between each individual pair of dances. The strength of the acting was equal to that of the dancing. Individual emotions, some passionate, some with great humour were played out in smaller spaces after we had been gently guided into the best position to observe the scene. Each time the extraordinarily well - played and enchantingly sung music perfectly matched the action. We seem to get closer, more involved as the ‘stories’ moved on. One of the dancers grabbed a microphone, we all crowded tightly around him, we had already stated to smell the sweat of the performers. He began to relate, almost intimately with individual members of the audience as it gave us his public confessional, it was all in fun, without any offence. Having got us used to being close, the dancers started to make the most of the new relationship. They were beginning to feel like friends. Four dancers stood closely in front of us. Four others jumped high and threw themselves forward. Only by the skillful catching of their partners did they not land heavily amongst us. Simply describing the movements is not enough to record the frisson of excitement that continually ran through us ‘friends’ as we watched. In another sequence after calling out to be caught the launching dancers found their partners arms were not available for them. A number of times humour crept in, contrasting with the overall, strong dynamic and thrust of the performance. A performance we were all totally immersed in, we were there with the performers right beside us. This may not be unique but the relationship remained totally close and involved throughout. Now in their 25th year, once again artistic directors Jessica Cohen and Jim Ennis, with their award winning touch have brought together a wonderful and highly talented ensemble of dancers and musicians. Rosalind Haf Brooks, Jess Haener, Eric Martin Kamosi, Sebastian Langueneur, Rachel O’Neill, Alex Marshall Parsons, Iain Payne, Beth Powlesland, Lara Ward and Rhian Williams totally captivated and beguiled its enthusiastic audience. Inexplicably there will be no more magic, after half a life time of wonderful work the Arts Council of Wales has withdrawn the company’s core funding. You can catch the company’s final performance at the Mac Birmingham on the 6th and 7th November. |
Reviewed by: Michael Kelligan |
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