Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens is a collection of songs and poetic verse reflecting the lives of people remembered on the AIDS memorial quilt.
For those that aren't aware of The Quilt, it was the mission of The Names Project to preserve the memory of those that have died of AIDS. Founded in 1987, the quilt is now over 1.2 million square feet, and a powerful reminder of just how many people have been affected by the disease.
In Elegies, approximately 30 of the human stories represented by a panel of the quilt are told in verse - with the corresponding image projected high above. The feelings of the living are told in song, and it combines to create a touching, dramatic and sometimes funny piece of work.
The performances are slick and clearly professional. The songs are delivered with a passion and intensity that reaches into your soul. The white motif of set and costume design adds a purity of spirit which matches the production so well I doubt it could be bettered.
There are few shows that this reviewer will be paying a return visit to, but this will certainly be one of them.
