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Earwig

 
Rebecca Vines Review by Rebecca Vines 5 Published: 26 Aug 2022 Assembly Rooms Show Dates: 4 Aug 2022-27 Aug 2022

Earwig is an engaging and classy piece which tells the story of entomologist Marigold Webb, trapped in a loveless marriage and a society as uncomfortable with her deafness as it is her gender. Bereft of a father’s financial protection, and juggling a silly mother and prat of a husband, Marigold finds some solace in the order of her insect world and the support of her one true friend.

An engaging and classy lesson to all of us to remain true to ourselves and search for beauty in unexpected places

Marigold is a composite of several women whose contributions to science have remained as largely neglected in history as they were at the time, and Time & Again theatre company specialise in shining a light on these forgotten stories and their ongoing relevance.

The narrative is deftly woven through use of the spoken word, projections, mime and British Sign Language. It covers historic attitudes to deafness and equality with depth and insight but there is a lightness threaded through the production which seems to emanate from Marigold’s indefatigable spirit. Jazz music and the use of silent movie title cards evokes a strong sense of the 1927 period, and the cleverly crafted script suggests the brittle conversational style whilst retaining immediacy for a modern audience. Crucially, the show is accessible too for a Deaf, deaf or hard of hearing audience, with some performances being interpreted into BSL.

The cast are able to convey significant emotional scope and draw us into their lives with ease; whilst the messages inherent in both the text and subtext are fully communicated with style and understanding.

Earwig is a rather beautiful little play, which, although primarily focusing on Marigold’s particular story, is a lesson to all of us to remain true to ourselves and search for beauty in unexpected places.

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The Blurb:

After the success of Greyhounds (2018) and Clouds (2019), Time & Again roar into the 1920s with vintage flair! Marigold's research into beetles is unparalleled but as a deaf woman in 1927, her work is ignored. Earwig combines the weird, wonderful world of entomology with Marigold's fight to be heard amidst flappers, jazz and an overbearing husband. Funny and fast-paced new writing incorporating illustrated projections in the style of 1920s silent movies! Earwig explores what it meant to be deaf in the early 20th century against the art deco decadence of the inter-war years.