Ghosts Women's Circus Shed 14 Victoria Dock, March 14 to April, 2003
Reviewer: Kate
Herbert
The Women's Circus'
latest production, Ghosts, is directed by Andrea Lemon, the new Artistic
Director of the company.
It is, to some
extent, a departure in style from previous shows. There are fewer circus stunts
and more movement based chorus scenes. There is no narrative but rather a
series of loosely connected vignettes that reflect upon the plight of female
refugees.
With about forty
performers, this is a huge task and the project succeeds in part. The series of metaphorical
episodes represents moments of arrival, escape, rioting, hunger and death. The problem is that
the metaphors are not clearly defined. It is often unclear what is the
intention or meaning of a scene.
The performance is
staged on a stark and evocative set designed by Trina Parker. . Cyclone wire
fencing cages the women inside the cavernous space. Rough camp beds line
the fences in rigid rows. Huge shipping containers provide the backdrop. The shipping
metaphor links these boat refugees to cargo.
One very successful
element of the show is the music composed and directed by Andrea rieniets (OK lower case) Her soundscape
and songs are compelling and atmospheric. Lighting design by
Gina Gascoigne provides some
dramatic as well as delicate imagery.
Ghosts reflects, through
physical imagery, upon those who suffer in our refugee camps. The through line of
the show is not clear. However, the performance experience is obviously strong
for community of mostly non-professional performers.
The women's training
under trainer Andrea Ousley is
evident in the work. They train in acrobatics, acrobalance , dance and for
some, shadow puppetry. There is work on the
trapeze, cloud swing, the cloth rope called the tissue amongst other work.
It is a delight to
see their joy in the work even when there are some chinks in the theatrical
elements of the show.
By Kate Herbert
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