|
|
|
|
|
Two into one goes perfectly
Frozen Birmingham Rep Studio ***** A UNIQUE and thoroughly exciting
theatrical experience like none that I have seen before, On its own, Lavery’s gripping play holds a
gripping power, overwhelming us with anger, heartbreak, elation and
yearning to name some of the few emotions we face on this chilling
journey. But what makes this play totally distinctive and
mind-altering is that Fingersmiths are no usual company. First the
majority of this company are deaf and all are fluent in sign language.
This company aims to tackle challenging and sharp topics using a
physical approach with an empathetic sincerity paired with an
educational display of British Sign Language. Fingersmiths have turned Lavery’s cut-throat
three man play and doubled the cast, in which each character has a
double, one communicating via sign language and the other through spoken
word. In the play, we are presented with the lives of
three different and complex characters. Agnetha, endearingly played by
Sophie Stone and Deepa Shastri, is an American psychologist who gives us
an insight to the core of Lavery’s topic; are there sins of ‘forgivable
acts’? Stone and Shastri give the voice of the
playwright great credit, delivering unbelievable precision to the
physicality of the Agnetha and that allows for a deep communication to
develop, both with the audience and other characters as the actors
slowly reveal the tenderness and complexity of Agnetha with beautiful
empathy.
The character of Ralph played by the brilliant
Mike Hugo and Neil Fox-Roberts is the most complex and indeed harrowing
of the three. His journey does not make for easy viewing but we are in
safe hands with these exceptional actors. It is hard not to avert your
eyes at their magician-like craftsmanship of their art. Finally, heart-breaking Nancy is given a tragic
and profound characterisation by Hazel Maycock and the particularly
talented Jean St. Clair will challenge anyone not to shed a tear. Director Jeni Draper certainly used the double
cast to an effective advantage. Having two actors play one role allows
the audience to look deeper into the poignant minds of the trio. Each ‘pair’ envisions an obviously tight bond
with their communicative counter-part, which adds to the dramatic effect
of the play. Instead of being an interpreter for one another, each actor
playing the same role endearingly entwine and bounce off each other in a
tight club of two, particularly during mesmerising moments of intensity
and emotion. Each actor looks to their twin for solace and
support, making the emotionally gripping story even more prevalent. Frozen is a chilling and emotionally-gripping
play by itself, but by the magic of fingersmiths, they have truly
tailored this production in order for it to become mind-altering. Elizabeth Halpin Following the performance on 12 February there will be an After Dark discussion in which director, Jeni Draper and the cast members will discuss the development and making of Frozen and The Fingersmiths’ unique visual and physical approach to creating theatre and attracting new audiences to the classics of twentieth and twenty first century theatre. Following the performance on 14 February there will be an After Dark discussion in which Dr Sally Austen, Consultant Clinical Psychologist will lead an open discussion on “overstepping the mark“, examining moments where we all find ourselves vulnerable or may make others feel vulnerable. Information on local support resources will be available
|
|
|
|
