The Ugly Spirit is another Unlimited commission
by Fittings
Multimedia Arts a disability led national organisation which fuse
different styles of storytelling. I didn’t know what to expect with this piece
but I knew it was going to be an immersive experience. The work is difficult to describe and I also don’t
want to reveal anything within the story! I attended not knowing a thing and
left feeling haunted and bewildered. David Hoyle offered strawberries to the
audience before the performance began, something with has left a sweet and
bitter aftertaste which lingers even now in my mind. Read no further if you
plan to see it I don’t want to spoil anything!
The piece was Directed by Garry Robson and written
by Russell Barr creating a beautiful monster which was inspired by the original
conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker.
There is
clear influence by Punch Drunk, Robson
quoted them in the QA after the performance ‘reward those who are curious’. The
story is told in two parts, like passengers waiting for a train we stood
waiting, everyone was then divided into groups ‘without rhyme or reason’ and
ushered to areas of the Bluecoats performance space and behind the scenes;
derailed from any clear laid out track. We explored slowly, presented by
shocking fragmented treasures which appeared random and unsettling.
To give you
a flavour it was like walking through a blend of Sophie’s
choice, Girl Interrupted, The Cell, Freaks and Suckerpunch. There were
small models which noted to different moments within the story much like the
work of Microworlds and Hell.
These
snippets offered snapshots to the second half of the performance performed
between twins Jessie ( Gareth Kieran Jones), Bessie (Rachel Drazek) what
appeared at first as babbling, tortured ramblings of two insane twins slowly
revealed a horrific past. This was mirrored by spellbinding performances from
Lady Schwarzkoft ( Opera singer Denise Leigh) and accordion player Stefan Andrusyschyn.
There was a play with duality between the characters Jessie and Bessie complex
shades of innocence and malice whilst the accordion and aria acted as a guiding
golden thread through the play. David Hoyle’s provided a menacing authoritative
figure of mother and murder. The ugly spirit plans to continue touring and I
highly recommend a going only if you are willing to be taken on a confusing,
obscure journey which is challenging and unnerving. This is not for those
looking for light hearted entertainment; this is for the enquiring adventurer .
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Sounds like it was a fascinating not to mention a real trip.
ReplyDeleteIt really was and a trip that still stays with me even now :)
ReplyDeleteCheck Sabina's work host and recent article on ghost writing (something I knew nothing about)
http://sabinamollot.com/