Review: Places I Never Think About, Omnibus Theatre

What is the first thought you have when Eastern European folklore is mentioned? Perhaps tales of vampires stalking the night, or stories of different nations fighting with one another. Places I Never Think About gives a very different glimpse of Eastern European folklore which does not include tales of Dracula, Carmilla or Van Helsing. Rather, it explores stories which stem from Hungary, Romania and Croatia which have been passed down from generation to generation. 

Places I Never Think About is a story within a story, where three different characters share a variety of tales through a mix of spoken word, music, song and puppetry. Five extraordinarily talented individuals (Irina Anghel, Rebeka Dio, Billie Grace, Katrina Michaels and Natalie Russo) play a wide range of different characters including an elderly woman, a prince, a lover, a griffin and a horse. 

All of the music in Places I Never Think About is done live. Throughout the production the tunes of a violin, a mandolin, a drum, an accordion and a flute can be heard, which are accompanied by the brilliant tones of polyphonic singing leaving the audience utterly entranced. The puppetry is well coordinated, particularly in one scene where the merchants daughter has to provide rope to a young customer. One can almost feel the shy and timid nature of the daughter as she operates the transaction through the movements which are conveyed through her arms and the nodding of her head. There are no special effects, no overly elaborate stage props and no eccentric tricks with the lighting, just raw storytelling at its finest.

The stories are told through a queer lens which traces back to the idea of the glass closet and the theatre being a space where queer people can go and be acknowledged amongst other LGBTQ+ individuals in a space away from the outside world. Places I Never Think About truly is a space where TRANSIT, a queer based theatre collective, represent themselves and other individuals. Telling stories which trace back from generations ago, they bring a modern audience together to celebrate culture, community and acceptance.

The point of the show is to impart a gleeful sense of community amongst audience members through the telling of stories as well as the invitation for the audience to join in a communal Hungarian dance. This brings together individuals from various backgrounds to a state of such delight and wonder. 

Produced by: Josie Underwood and Jack Wakely
Dramaturg: Yael Elisheva and Tatenda Matsvai
Set and Costume Design: Bori Papp
Lighting Design: Connor Divers
Puppet Design: Blanka Szentandrássy

Places I Never Think About has completed its current run at Omnibus Theatre