“I Am Still
Here”
The Sense of an Ending from Red Road Theatre
Newcastle Dance City
15th November 2014.
A
lady walks onto the stage carrying 2 suitcases. Pauses. She carries on, clearly
upset. What has happened to her on her journey? So begins The Sense of an Ending, from Red Road Theatre, the latest
commission from Dance City.
Four
performers interpret a numbers of different women’s stories, from the pleasure
of jumping in cow pats to the darker, more violent side of relationships. A
single message through each of the three montages is that they carry on,
despite everything.
The
weight of the original stories carries great emotion in the remarkable performances
by Molly Hodkinson, Kate Jackson, Caroline Reece and Sue Mitchell. Each story
develops from graceful flowing moments to the harsh, painful episodes as they
experience life changing events from their childhood through to their own
mortality. Both captivating and challenging, the phenomenal performers drew the
audience into the narrative.
The
production also features amazing lighting design, by James Froment, which helps
convey the sense of light and dark, as well as journeys into the unknown. The use of monochrome film, by Jamie Korn, in
the final sequence added a further important element to that sense of going on
a journey. Al Oranges’ sound design features music that has been suggested or
inspired by the original women’s stories and its production added a vital tone
to reflective nature of the drama.
Artistic
Director Nadia Iftkhar has assembled an impressive production using the stories
of between 50 to 60 women from the North. Their stories are a mixture of pain, pleasure
and resilience resulting in a powerful and well crafted production.
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR
(www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen
@panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
On The Web:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/redroaddancetheatre
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/RedRoadDT
On Tour:
Washington Arts
Centre
Washington
Thurs
27th Nov, 7.30pm
Box
Office 0191 219 3455 or www.artscentrewashington.co.uk
Robin Howard Dance Theatre – The
Place
London
Fri
13th Feb.
Box
Office 020 7121 1100 or www.theplace.org.uk
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