Theatre Review - STAIRWALL - THE THINGS WE FIND - NORTH SHIELDS

Credit Luke Waddington

A combination of expressive dance performance, visual art and music, Stairwall – The Things We Find is a creative hot pot of styles inspired by the notion ‘Almost too serious’. Produced by Sarah Hudson, it’s an interesting combination of different artistic elements that endeavours to create a connection to the audience. Costume Designer Imogen Cloët placed the artists in primary colours to further illustrate the innate innocence of the piece. A short video plays at the beginning and end by by Luke Waddington and Jeremy Bradfield which gives a feel of a disconnected and odd world we are entering. Artistic Lead and Dance Artist, Esther Huss, brought a child-like wonder to everything as she danced in a balletic style throughout, interacting with the others in the show. Claudia Sacher, a Visual Artist seemed to weave through Esther’s movements with her own art; whether it was creating with chalks and paints, using clay or boxes and string. The final layer is that of Jeremy Bradfield, a Sound Artist and Composer, who seemed to have great fun with his collection of strange and unusual instruments. Objects brought by spectators were donated to be used during the show to the great amusement of all - as items were given an almost Antiques Roadshow treatment and shown reverence by the performers. I wasn’t sure if it was the music influencing the performers or the performers influencing the music but they seemed to live harmoniously with one another. A few things at the very front were easy to miss if you are not on the front row, as due to the nature of the space the floor can be hard to see.

The performance is like half-remembered dream. It is fragmented and doesn’t always ‘make sense’ but then it doesn’t need to. It is a performance that begs for you to come with your mind switched firmly on and bring to it your own interpretations and meaning.

Next performance is 11/11/2022, 7pm, at Knott Memorial Hall, Towne Gate Heddon-on-the-wall NE15 ODT. All the work created during the production will form an exhibit at The Institute in Cambois, 3^rd and 4^th December, 1pm-3pm.

Credit Luke Waddington