To tell stories in unexpected ways; that is the promise that Wildkind Theatre makes in their tagline. It’s a promise that they certainly deliver, but only because the blurb in the program and what I saw appeared to be two completely different shows, leaving me feeling a little perplexed.
it is a true testament to both Sophie and Faye for engaging the audience in this thought provoking journey
Don’t get me wrong, there is something powerful about leaving the theatre in need of a cup of tea and a deep old think, but the confusion did hinder the enjoyment. The byline on their social media page: ‘In a world of missed opportunity, what would you do with your last year on Earth?’, was much more insightful, and if you attend the show with this in mind, it would undoubtedly be a more pleasurable experience.
The show explores two people documenting their remaining time on the planet and facing the trials and tribulations of not only potential extinction, but the often turbulent journey of living with and loving another human being. The fear of being subjected to a vague, devised piece by those with mediocre acting ability set in when the show opened with our two actors sitting on a stack of bright orange packing crates, performing a series of random gestures.
However, Sophie Huggins and Faye Butler quickly proved this would not be the case, with their sharp, impressively coordinated movements and their believable chemistry and delivery. The packing crates created everything from a bath to a TV, and although they were continuously repositioned, it flowed naturally and that awkward feeling of waiting for the stage to be set was miraculously avoided. The pair must also be commended for milking every inch of the tiny venue. Such a physically focused show in the unforgiving space of Sweet Waterfront 2 had a large margin for error, however the hours of rehearsal were clearly visible.
The show did not however, deliver on it’s promise of 'ramshackle instruments', but apart from an extremely timid use of a lyre that left me wondering why it was there, Sophie and Faye delivered a unique and rather mesmerizing soundtrack. The use of a loop pedal initially seemed questionable, however it enhanced the piece, especially when paired with their rather enchanting vocals, which I wished there was more of. I originally thought the sharp cutting of the sound was a technical blunder, yet the blunt shift married well with the stark changes the characters were facing.
Due to the initial confusion of not quite understanding what was going on, this show had the potential to be an underwhelming and uncomfortable experience. So, it is a true testament to both Sophie and Faye for engaging the audience in this thought provoking journey to the end of the Earth.
