If you could tell Love what you honestly thought of it what would you say? In this fusion of poetic monologue, dance and sign language, Vintage Star Productions approaches love with those unanswered question we’ve all asked. Is that what you really look like? Can I trust you? Can I have my heart back?
Love will be an everlasting theme in all forms of art, and although vintage Star productions doesn’t approach it from any profoundly new angles, the monologues are generally earnest, natural and wholly identifiable. Many performances were delivered with an endearing intensity, unfortunately others became overly whiny, maudlin, even a little grating. At times, too, what struck at first as recognizable through association became cliché.
Soul music and RnB back sensitive and sometimes seductive duets that vary in tone and mood, reflecting the intimacy and conflicts of romance, although some performers appear clearly more confident than others in these moments. From the start one performer stole my attention as she displayed the most relish and genuine conviction in her movements. She turned out to be the writer, director and choreographer Ann Akin. Later, as a duo Akin and Catherine Ashton, in fact co-founder and producer in the company, were wonderfully fluid and yet controlled dancers with a great performing intensity.
Generally the chemistry within the group is palpable and clearly noticeable in their precise timing in full company sections. What really stands out, though, is the rhythmic use of sign language, woven into the chorography in a way that is simple and elegant. The minimal set of three semi-transparent screens helped to keep focus on hand gestures as the most basic form of communication with hands peeping out from behind the screens, beckoning, guarded, quivering with fear or excitement.
