| Innocent and engaging theatre |
At Hijinx Theatre |
| Hijinx Theatre- Ill Met by Moonlight , Whitchurch High School, Cardiff , September 25, 2001 |
| Those people, like myself, who were too young or just didn’t get to see the first classic production of this play back in 1994, are in for a treat. At first Andrew Harrison's set seems deceptively simple: a plain wooden platform with a drum kit at the rear evokes the feeling of a disused barn. But as soon as changeling Hedydd makes a bet with her fairy master, Gwarwyn-a-Throt, that an unlikely couple will fall in love (the prize being Hedydd's freedom or eternal captivity) the stage is brought almost magically to life with infusions of music song and expert performance, transforming the set into field, farmhouse and moonlit path. The performers are attentive and skilful. Rhodri Hugh is the grasping and insensitive Samuel Jenkins who proposes rather matter-of-factly to the wounded, cold window, Mrs Morris (played by Cler Stevens). As they say, true love never runs smoothly, but in this case it does slowly learn to trust and prevails in the end. But not before we have seen the pair physically pushed and pulled around by nature and emotion, as they trek up hills against lashing snow storms, demonstrating love's pains, pleasures and sacrifices. Nia Davies plays a mournful but intelligent Hedydd, longing for freedom and change, mystically drawing the couple together, while Dyfrig Morris, her mischievous controlling master uses various convincing (and comic) guises to put strain on the couple, and mockingly wedges them apart. At the same time, Paula Gardiner's moving and imaginative music takes us through the seasons of the land and their relationship. Gwarwyn-a-Throt controlling the drums generates a raucous winter, dark, brooding, doubtful emotions and fiery rage. Yet in contrast, Hedydd's gentle, soulful and Celtic tunes on her accordion reflect on times past, hint at a possible future, and portray the longings of the heart. Director Kevin Lewis not only emphasises the love story in Charles Way's tender and comic script, but by drawing significant attention to the importance of the moon, water and nourishment, casts us into a forgotten age, a twilight rural world of earthy superstition. But these, being at the turn of the 19th/20th century, reiterate themes of the inevitability of change, growth and renewal. Because everything and everyone does change – beliefs die, new methods of farming replace the old, and the chains of the past are cut off. Set on the border of England and Wales, Charles Way's message is also one of unity (people need each other, despite the industrial revolution, man needs nature, the Bwca need man) and balance - winters are necessary to enjoy the summers. This is an exhilarating production which removes the audience from the noisy chatter and stark fluorescence of the modern world and places them in simpler times. Hijinx have recreated a beautiful script and made it into an innocent, relevant and engaging piece of theatre. |
Reviewed by: Madeline Parr |
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