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Journey into confined space
Grounded
The Door, Birmingham Rep
***** GEORGE Brant’s play is an explosively
dynamic one woman show that comments not only about the effects of
modern war, but sheds light on human emotion, womanhood and the
sacrifices we all have faced in order to pursue our dreams. The production shows an
overwhelming journey of power and emotion through a woman’s experience
of working in the American military. Narrated superbly by Lucy Ellinson,
an incredibly strong actress with an incredible talent, we see the life
of a fighter pilot who’s great struggle is to come to terms with life’s
circumstances. After becoming pregnant whist fighting at war,
she must give up her life in the sky and become ‘grounded’, forced to
overcome a new life working in a simulated drone on the ground in the
Las Vegas desert, becoming part of ‘The Chair Force’. Ellison depicts
the internal fight with emotion and reason to continue a balance between
an equal, but painfully conflicting love for both a job and family. The audience are first introduced to Ellison
standing commandingly within the unlikely set. She is surrounded by a
cube gauze box no bigger than three metres square, remaining inside
throughout the entire performance. This is a powerful image and an interesting
allusion to the messages of Brant’s work. The Pilot is trapped, both in
mind and in the new life that has unfolded through the years. The bare
box is her only world of which we can only see in, but the pilot cannot
get out. Our first introduction to her world is seen in a commanding
preset as The Pilot stands proudly in her fighter pilot uniform, with a
background of roaring rock music. She greets the audience with
confidence, knowing already the story that is to come. Immediately there is a sense of excitement for
what to expect and there is a definite hint that this strong woman will
be as dynamic as this introductory portrait depicts. Ellinson is an incredible performer that injects
us with vivid colours of emotional power from start to finish. She uses
the ninety minutes to make us believe that there is no other world but
her own. She has a wonderful range that shows a sharp fighter pilot on
the surface, but gives a touching show of emotion as a caring mother in
tender moments. Her quick portrayal of the script along with
Brant’s cutting writing both align beautifully together. It is clear to
see that Ellison has a magnificent talent and a natural ability to
narrate, but with the direction of Christopher Haydon, Brant’s work
takes off with Ellison’s slick approach to The Pilot which allows the
plethora of emotion to be truly felt by all. This production is a thrilling example of the
sheer power of theatre. It’s thought provoking energy gives way to many
general ideas about war in the modern day, but with the added extra of
Ellinson’s magical performance, this is a subject about individual drive
and the power of where pure human emotions can lead us. To 06-09-14 Elizabeth Halpin
04-09-14
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