White Day Dream
Presented by
Weave Movement Theatre
& Yumi Umiumare
Direction and Choreography – Yumi Umiumare
Composition and Sound Design – Dan West
Stage Design – Jennifer Tran
Lighting Design – Richard Vabre
Media Art – Bambang N Karim
Co-devised and performed by:
David Baker, Willow J Conway, Tim Crafti,
Trevor Dunn, Janice Florence, Emma J Hawkins, Melanie Keely, Greg Muir, Ryan
New, Emma Norton, Leisa Prowd, Anthony Riddell
Weave Artistic Director – Janice Florence
Production Manager – Rose Godde
45 Downstairs
27 October to 6 November 2016
Intrinsic to White Day Dream is a whimsical set by Jennifer Tran made almost
entirely of white plastic shopping bags, in fact the plastic bags extend to the
auditorium. They are a marvelous canvas
and make great props.
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| Photo by Paul Dunn |
Throughout there is a pervading atmosphere
of magic realism that owes much to masterfully lighting by Richard Vabre. One feels suspended in a dream that ebbs and
flows through a variety of visceral changing realities. Sound design and composition by Dan West
adroitly assists the audience to move with the shifting themes. And Media Art by Bambang N Karim enhances with
special magic, meanings and vivid colour.
Performers, who are all very obviously
finding deep joy and satisfaction in entertaining, are totally focused, and
work as a supportive team. ‘Weave
Movement Theatre’ members wow the audience with their courage and commitment. Performers in wheelchairs play their parts
beautifully and fluidly without self-consciousness.
Wonderful combinations of shapes and sizes
and abilities are mixed seamlessly to make very moving comments, most memorably,
about connection and acceptance.
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| Photo by Paul Dunn |
Trevor Dunn mellifluously voices an
intriguing poem, of the same name as the shows title, by Anthony Riddell.
The three guest artists are stunning and
bring unique artistry. Willow J Conway’s
presence is cheeky, jaunty, delightfully wistful and deeply imbued with
sincerity. Tim Crafti’s dancing is a
fluid and pivotal glue. His sinuously
twisting extensions are fascinating to watch.
Emma J Hawkings charms her audience with her lithe graceful athleticism
and engaging warm expressiveness.
Yumi Umiumare with her own special brand of
Butoh as Director/Chorographer is very even-handed and, I would suggest, liberating
for her cast. She is an inspiring
Artist. White Day Dream is at times deeply affecting and moving and often
funny and jubilant. There are also
contrasting motifs imbued with a sense of pending danger and troubling darkness
– a hallmark of Butoh.
In all, it flows and floats like an
ambiguous yet affecting dream. Part satirical
cabaret, part wacky Russian Ballet, sideshow, mime show and surreal painting – a
riveting and gloriously successful show in combining artists who have a wide-ranging
variety of abilities with sensitivity and unerring dignity. It is an acutely joyful and affirming work - full
of wonder. And yes there is a lot you
can do with a white shopping bag.
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| Photo by Paul Dunn |
Don’t miss this one it is a treat!
The show to book for would be the last
one on Sunday the 6th as it is to be Auslan interpreted (Auslan
Stage Left) and Audio described. There
will also be a Tactile Tour prior to this show at 4pm.
There is wheelchair access at 45 Downstairs
but it does require entering round be back of the building and a bit of a
journey down laneways.
Suzanne Sandow
(For Stage Whispers)
