Written by Allison Davies, Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light
is the experience your soul has been waiting for. The Story is of Elsa as she
tries to fit in and get on in the world. But how do you fit in when you have an
Octopus in your brain? It deals with the misunderstanding, castigations and general
awkwardness autistic people can face in a savage world. The frustrations to be
found when people who are ‘trying to help’, but don’t, and the elation that can
be found when we find people who actually understand us. The plot doesn’t shy
away from awkward topics, neither does it throw them in your face, instead
hitting the perfect balance of honesty and tenderness. Also, as an audience
member, it’s really nice to be given the chance to move a little during a show.
It isn’t often you are offered a pair of headphones when
entering a theatre but it was an interesting addition to the theatre
experience. They provided the audience with a more in-depth soundscape designed
by Roma Yagnik that gave a feeling of immersion. For those who don’t feel
comfortable using headphones, the show is still just as enthralling without.
The stage area is simply marked using wood chippings and plants giving a
calming feeling, with a basic pine frame that doubled to be multiple places and
things (designed by Verity Quinn). Director
Karen Traynor brought out the gentle humour and warmth in this exquisite piece
of theatre. Hannah Genesius as the main character Elsa played a very real
performance of a person just trying to get on with life and not be weird. While
Zoe Lambert showed a heart-warming tenderness as the Mum just trying to do the
right thing. Yemisi Oyinloye played a multitude of interesting characters, all
of whom she made distinctly different and fun to watch. The whole show had me
engaged from the moment I sat down to long after the curtain call. This play
reminds you that you don’t belong in the bin. Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light
will give you light in the dark winter. This is not a show you should go to
see, it is a show you have to see.
Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light is showing at the
Alphabetti Theatre 4th February and 7th-18th
February.
