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Credit: Yuzuru Masada

Four Corners – Stratford Circus Arts Centre – Review

Pros: Exceptional performances from all and some stunning design elements.

Cons: If you are not one for physical theatre then perhaps this isn’t the show for you.

Pros: Exceptional performances from all and some stunning design elements. Cons: If you are not one for physical theatre then perhaps this isn’t the show for you. Though I knew there was a theatre in Stratford, I’m ashamed to say I had never been. So, walking into Theatre Square, I was amazed to find not just one not two, but three theatres! All three are grouped together in a sunny square with a statue of the mother of modern theatre, Joan Littlewood, right in the middle. Wonderful. I had ventured out to Stratford to see Blink Dance Theatre Company’s…

Summary

Rating

Excellent

A beautifully constructed piece of choreography with important things to say.

Though I knew there was a theatre in Stratford, I’m ashamed to say I had never been. So, walking into Theatre Square, I was amazed to find not just one not two, but three theatres! All three are grouped together in a sunny square with a statue of the mother of modern theatre, Joan Littlewood, right in the middle. Wonderful.

I had ventured out to Stratford to see Blink Dance Theatre Company’s Four Corners, a physical theatre piece that follows four people in their everyday lives. Each character tells their story through a plethora of movements and we watch as each character’s day doesn’t quite go to plan. The more abstract of the stories were the most enjoyable to watch, with unusual choreography and more room for philosophical reflection. The ultimate message is about identity and individuality and the people we meet on our individual journeys through life.

This is a very personal performance and one can tell that the company must have fought hard throughout the devising process to include each performer’s individual experiences. The beauty of the show is how it is all brought together as the movements, voice, sound and lighting all intertwine to metaphorically represent the uniting of the characters. This finishes wonderfully with a huge group dance at the end where the audience are all invited onstage to boogie and unite with the actors – a very moving moment.

The cast – Delson Weekes, Katherine Gill, Vicki Hawkins and Francis Majekodunmi – are brilliant and work phenomenally well as a group. There is so much trust and passion coming from each of the performers throughout the entire sixty-minute performance, an impressively consistent 110% from everyone.

Design elements of the production (Ruta Irbite) tie in beautifully with the performance, helping to enhance every moment. The lighting design is particularly stunning, with four colours simply highlighting the actors in each of their four corners. Sound, designed and performed live by Mathew Hawkins, is catchy, current and exceptionally well put together. His use of the microphone to inject sounds of the underground and phone calls is laugh-out-loud and should be used more.

This truly is a great piece of work, performed by a very invested and passionate cast. The movement is simple but well-choreographed and clear, allowing us to follow the story but also use our imagination for the more abstract moments. The story is powerful and the message the cast leave you with is sincere and heartfelt.

The company should be commended for their efforts and involvement with all walks of the community. It is definitely a piece of physical theatre you should get along to if you can, even if you’re not one for dance: Four Corners will open your eyes to the importance of performance and its limitless possibilities of involvement for all.

Devised by: Blink Dance Theatre Company
Set Design by: Ruta Irbite
Sound Design by: Mathew Hawkins
Produced by: Blink Dance Theatre Company
Booking Link: http://www.blinkdancetheatre.org/
Booking Until: 24th July 2017

About Grace Ward

Grace is a director, writer, teacher, telephonist, daughter, wife and friend all rolled into one. Being a native northerner, she moved from Yorkshire to London over 10 years ago and has never looked back. Before taking the plunge into directing, Grace studied Physical Theatre and although there's nothing she loves more than gritty dialogue, she loves it when she's surprised by something a bit more physical. A lover of all things dark and disturbing, she will be the first to put her name down for anything that is not-so-middle-of-the-road.

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