Marta Mari. Theatre Director. Arts Manager

The Bridge by Annie George (Edinburgh)
Just Festival as part of
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014
@St. John's Church
Pleasantly surprised

I’ve been wondering lately what makes a good solo piece? It is a very difficult for one performer to keep audience engaged the whole show. Annie George, in a smart direction of Sarah McDonald, gently yet confidently tells the story of her Keralan family keeping the audience attention throughout the show. Annie’s text is a piece of fine, rich and mature writing in which she explores concepts of identity, destiny, courage and family relationships, to name just a few. Annie’s performance is powerful, emotional and moving. Watching The Bridge only reassured me that some of the best solo pieces are the ones written by the performer. They are personal, honest and a real delight to watch. The Bridge is all that.

BRUSH  by Theatre Haddangse (South Korea)
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014
C Venue
Pleasantly surprised

I really like shows from Korea. There is always some sort of delicacy in them. In the show for young audiences Brush, actors’ commitment to the storytelling and their own craft is impressive. Respect for their audience can be almost touched. The show directed by Kil Jun Lee is abundant in highly imaginative concepts of the use of recyclable materials to create a world in which five actors portray multiple characters. They paint the set gracefully for almost every scene. The show is dynamic and the movement choreographed meticulously. A live musician (Sangkon Seo) plays six instruments throughout the show mesmerizing the audience with various sounds and beautiful, originally composed music. My three-year old daughter was intrigued by sounds coming out of golden accordion that sparkled. I was most amazed by three flats with painted tree on them that suddenly became a moving peacock.  The story line was sometimes difficult to follow due to the performance being in Korean. There were some English key words, which helped a bit. Nevertheless, the show can understood and enjoyed as there is a lot of non verbal action. And here is a thing that struck me when I was watching this show: All the magic was created in front of us. There was very little mystery but that’s a good thing in this case as it sends an important message to children: you can create excellent theatre using simple, everyday objects, paint the world of your story, use your old xylophone or drum-it’s only a matter of your imagination. The children leave the theatre empowered, inspired and confident, because they've seen how the show’s done. And to be able to share one’s imagination so generously and openly with the audience is an art in itself.

More info and tickets:

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/brush_

I see a lot of theatre in general. Some good, some not so good, often decent but rather safe and boring and every once in a while a brilliant one.  For quite a while now I haven’t seen anything jaw-dropping. Masterpieces, in which every single element of theatrical production is extraordinary, are very rare theses days. At least in Scotland. Of course, I have my theory as to why is that but this is rather larger subject for another post.  So this summer I’m on a quest to find a production that would truly inspire, amaze and or challenge me. Be it a script, acting, staging or whatever.

I usually don’t write about theatre I see but this year I decided to write about my experiences. The shows are chose to see are a mixture of: a) browsing Fringe brochure looking for things that would catch my attention: productions from abroad, solo pieces, and other things hard to explain; b) shows I was invited to; c) free shows; d) productions of local artists I know or whose work I’m curious about.  

In a way I’ll review them. I won’t use a star system, as I’m not a critic. Besides, star system is overrated, abused and can be misleading. Instead, I came up with my own four descriptions: 1) jaw-dropping 2) I don’t get it 3) pleasantly surprised 4) decent but not life changing.

These are personal and do not reflect star system. Something that surprises me might be normal for you. When my jaw drops, you might yawn. What I don’t get, you might delight yourself in.  So do challenge me! Do recommend shows-both jaw-dropping and things you don’t get. What I’m after is: innovation, experimentation, risks taking and genuine fun.

Let the quest begin!

I don’t believe in coincidences. Not any more. Things happen for a reason, that I’m sure of. In a very bizarre way the Universe gives us signs, clues for answers to questions that live in us.

When I was about 10 I loved playing a game called Podchody. There were usually 2 groups of kids. The first one would go for a trip (I’m not sure it’s the best word to describe it)  around the neighbourhood, often including the large park. The second one would wait for about 10 minutes and then follow the first group. Now, the first group would decide on the route while on the go and would leave some kind of signs or clues for the second group. It would usually be arrows pointing the right directions- either made of sticks, drawn on the sand with a stick or with a chalk on the sidewalk. Sometimes it would be pieces of paper or ribbon hung on branches in the park. The second group would have to look for clues in order to find the first group. Naturally there was always a leader etc. Fantastic game!

Now, I like to think that life is really like this game. We go through life looking for clues and directions left there for us by Higher Power. We sometimes miss clues so we feel lost. Sometimes, deliberately, we don’t want to see them-maybe because we’re not ready to see them or maybe because we have a specific job to do there…In any case, sooner or later we have to get on track otherwise we’ll miss life by being stuck in one place!

Seeing sings is one thing however. Knowing what they mean is totally different. Acting upon them is yet another one. But that’s the whole fun, isn’t it? It should be. Life should be fun. It should be an adventure! The adventure, in fact!

About a month ago while I was walking in a hurry on Nicolson Street I glanced at one of the charity shops windows and I saw a book titled The Nine Emotional Lives of Cats. Intrigued by the title I bought the book. The book patiently waited by the bed as I was deep in rehearsals and not able to focus on anything else. On the last day of the production I lay down with a glass of wine and started reading the book. What a delight! I couldn’t stop smiling and I’ve only just finished introduction! I must say-that it is one of  the most pleasurable reading experiences ever! It is definitely worth reading if you, like me, are mad about cats-I guarantee you smiling at the very least! If, however, you still believe you’re “not a cat person” but like challenges - this book will challenge your beliefs about cats in a fantastic way!

Excited about the book, the next morning I’m telling my mum about it. As I keep reading it, loving it more and more, I come back to the conversation with my mum in the afternoon. I then mention the author Jeffrey Masson and his comments about New Zealand, (where he lives) how he describes where he lives etc. My mum listens carefully and then says: I think I’ve been to his house! I look at her thinking: has she lost her mind? Or maybe she’s not been listening to me and is talking about something else?! She’s stayed at my sister’s in Auckland but still! What’s his wife’s name? she asks. I don’t know but remember he did talked about her in the intro. My mum says that he must be the same author that my sister is so fond of. Apparently, he wrote a book about New Zealand that my sister loved! I remember her being super excited about it years ago.

I get home and check the book. His wife’s name is Leila-what my mum said it would be. I’ve heard so much about Leila as she is my nephew’s doctor in Auckland! While staying in Auckland, my mum went for a visit with my sis to Leila’s house (as this is where she sees her patients) hence my mum’s visit to the author’s house.

Among thousands of books in the world, there is one that catches my interest. Its author fascinated my sister years ago with a very different book, on a very different subject. My mum connects our fascinations. Clearly there must be something deeper in this story. Some clues to answers to my questions. I’m intrigued to find it! Going back to reading the book now.