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An Old Testament tale of female desire and sexual emancipation reimagined in poetry and a fusion of musical genres, with powerful vocals, skilled live instrumentalists and accomplished dancers.Summary
Rating
Good
Song of Songs is a book in the Old Testament containing a collection of poems between two lovers. Encompassing a wide range of emotions, it portrays a conversation between the two although importantly they do not share a poem, nor consummate their love. It also, unusually, depicts a strong, outspoken heroine. This is the inspiration for A Song of Songs which uses some of the original poetry and intention to dramatise a tale of female desire and sexual emancipation.
The musicians are playing as the audience enter. Fluid, moving and skilled, their music suggests a Middle Eastern beat infused with a haunting Fado influence. The blending of genres (Arabic drum and flamenco guitar) is highly evocative of a Jerusalem and Mediterranean setting whilst the clarinet and violin tones ensure a Klezmer influence.
In many ways the music is another voice for the piece, a choice physically represented by the musicians sitting at the back of the stage throughout. Daniel Gouly moves between clarinet and saxophone at ease, each choice adding a depth and tone to the dialogue or singing to enhance meaning. The violinist dances with the musicians whilst playing and the physical split of the musicians (bass and drum on one side of the stage and flamenco guitar, saxophone, clarinet and violin on the other) serves to reinforce the change of musical tone as needed for the plot. The music is exquisite throughout the performance, accompanied by consistently powerful, accomplished and moving singing from all. A minimal set works well with the clothing adopted by the chorus, showcasing the importance and versatility of a prayer shawl.
A chorus of dancing women open the action with a song describing a woman that flees the city of Jerusalem naked, never to be allowed to return again. She both represents the poetry of the never-to-meet lovers in the Bible along with being an authority for any minor love question posed by the local community. Her story is so well known her established authority is that of a legend. Tirzah herself appears (Ofra Daniel), clothed from head to toe, downtrodden and miserable, to tell her story. The youngest of her family with few skills, she is married to an older, boring fisherman, before being enticed by an unseen lover whose poetic influence unleashes a torrent of sexual confidence in her. She metaphorically and physically removes layers to become her true self before the identity of her unseen lover is revealed.
This production is an odd and frustrating mixture of musical excellence in voice and physical instrument alongside skilled and energetic dancing, belittled by a plot that is underwhelming and does not warrant the two hour performance time. The acting can feel awkward with exaggerated and forced facial expressions and observing Tirzah’s increasing sexualisation feels less about emancipation and more inappropriately voyeuristic. I like the premise of this piece, and want to hear more of the original poetry, but it could be accomplished in half the time. However, leave the music untouched, for it is that which will haunt the audience long after the performance ends.
Written and Directed by Ofra Daniel
Associate Director: Victoria Góngora
Choreographer & Assistant Director: Billy Mitchell
Music by Ofra Daniel and Lior Ben Hur in collaboration with Ali Paris
Musical Director: Thomas F Arnold
Sound Design – Andrew Johnson
Music captain: Daniel Gouly
A Song of Songs plays at Park Theatre until 15 June. Further information and bookings can be found here.
