Review: When the World Turns, Battersea Arts Centre

When the World Turns is a literally sensational, utterly extraordinary show. Filled with surprises, playfulness, laughter and outstanding thoughtfulness, this production by Oily Cart Theatre Company and Polyglot Theatre takes the audience on an immersive journey that actively explores a world of natural phenomena through the senses. The whole is impressively inclusive, devised for an audience including pre-school children, along with young people with special needs or disabilities. Currently it plays as part of the Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival, produced by leading edge creatives CRIPtic Arts, which platforms work for and by people with disabilities.

When spoken language might not be your audience’s main means of communicating it’s vital to find alternative ways to articulate understanding. This is what When The World Turns does so brilliantly, reimagining participation in an expansive way that goes far beyond traditional verbal and visual means. Today the Lower Hall at Battersea Arts Centre is transformed, filled from floor to ceiling with living plants: simply stepping into the space is breathtakingly enchanting. Under a canvas canopy, we’re in a jungle enclosure where the smells and sounds of the forest are activated: we detect the soil and recognise insects chirruping all around us. Together we discover an exciting hidden world, revealed by sensory interaction; and famously, Oily Cart recognise not just five but 33 senses!

The superb cast (Kim Heron, Ed Yelland, Nisha Anil) invite us to engage with texture, light, sound, song and scent, moving with choreographed effortlessness through the room. Seated audience members are free to move as necessary in this relaxed performance. Everyday objects come alive – a hairbrush snake gently sweeps a shoulder or requests a tummy tickle; an aluminium ducting tube becomes an elephant’s trunk, and an instrument that imitates its call; noises develop surprising surround sound as moving speakers swing in overhead. Considered proximity brings features close for those with restricted visual range, or images are produced at larger scale to give alternative perspectives: light projects through the leaves to create delightful, shifting shadow patterns overhead, or rain hangs suspended in the light as water, fragrant with Eucalyptus, is sprayed above the spectators.

A palpable trajectory moves us through the ecosystem of our constantly turning world, with a beautifully stitched touch mat given to each audience member marking thematic segments of earth to air, water to weather.

And throughout, each person is offered a personal, interactive relationship with the cast. They approach carefully, inviting participation perhaps by wiggling fingers in comfortingly warm water to reflect ripples above, or by echoing vocalisations to recognise and validate the presence of individuals. At times the performance is led by audience responses, which is movingly empowering.

A highlight is when we are all caught in a storm and shelter together to avoid thunder, lighting and rain. Soon we’re making eye-contact with each other, aware of our connectedness in sharing a mutually exciting, thrilling experience.

Aside from its obviously entertaining features, When The World Turns is a deceptively complex piece that generates invisible links and understandings between people, objects, space and time, inviting new relationships and possibilities to form. It made me mindful, examining the room, the experiences and the people within it differently, and considering how we make up our own ecosystem of humans who are all the same in being different. And I felt physically changed when I left – energised and brightened by a delightful form of forest bathing.

This is a unique theatrical experience that invigorates the entire body and mind, and a fabulous opportunity for anyone, regardless of their limitations, to be able to immerse themselves in the hidden delights of our amazing natural world.

Directed by Rhiannon Armstrong
Original Co-directors: Ellie Griffiths and Sue Giles
Designed and Eco-scenography by Andrea Carr
Original Design Concept by Dr Tanja Beer
Composed and Musical Director: Max Reinhardt
UK Performing & Devising Team: Nisha Anil, Kim Heron, Ed Yelland
Sound Design by Max Reinhardt (UK) and Steph O’Hara (AUS)
Assistant Sound Designer / Multi Channel Programmer: PJ Davy
Lighting Design by Marty Langthorne
Original Lighting Design Concept by Richard Vabre
Movement Direction by Genevieve Say
Puppetry Direction by Steve Tiplady
Dramaturg by Naomi O’Kelly
Originally commissioned by Arts Centre Melbourne

When the World Turns is aimed at ages 0-25 years. The show has completed its run at Battersea Arts Centre. The show will also play at Birmingham and Nottingham, details via the below.