Review: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE, Ensemble Arts Philly

Photo credit: Helen Maybanks

Deeply impactful and breathtaking, Message in a Bottle is currently doing a North American tour after being critically acclaimed in the West End. Director and choreographer Kate Prince creates an exceptional trifecta of the music of Sting, the power of dance and the heartbreaking stories of migrant and refugee stories expertly woven together. Sting himself has talked about how he writes his songs in isolation so seeing others interpretations of them inspires him, and this will inspire you. Prince does an excellent job navigating the multitude of factors that shape our world and our lives, and creating exalted joy and love despite the suffering.

The Message in a Bottle cast is entirely made up of dancers who use movement to tell a story of a family held together by love and torn apart by war. As the story goes, Sting’s greatest hits are played as the characters twist and spin, in and out of control of their lives and their freedoms. The first act is hard to watch, the paradox from the loving family and wedding scenes to the brutal sexual and other violent assaults of war will leave the audience shaken. However, you will see in the second act how, even with the trauma and irrevocable damage that has been done to this family, there is still love. Love resounds for themselves, each other and the greater world.

There are so many dancers and they bring so much diversity of background, ethnicity, dance styles, strengths and talent. Unfortunately, they are listed as dancers in the Playbill, which makes it a struggle to see them as individuals. This is probably because they are supposed to be seen as a collective and part of something bigger within the cosmos. There are some dancers who are so incredibly charismatic, you can’t even take your eyes away for a second, including Oliver Andrews, Deavion Brown, Natasha Gooden, Megan Ingram and Gavin Vincent. There are other dancers who have the adaptability to not only lead and create a cohesive story, but to connect the dots and make it cohesive, such as Daniella May, Dylan Mayoral, Robbie Ordona and Malachi Welch. Honestly, the entire cast is incredible and well deserved the 10 minute long standing ovation.

The designers behind Message in a Bottle created a visually stunning show. The collaboration between Ben Stone (set design), Andrzej Goulding (video design), Anna Fleischle (costume design) and Natasha Chivers (lighting design) to create many different worlds with minimal scenery and the use of special effects is mind blowing. The most captivating pieces are the dancers’ costumes that are light and flowy pastels and create an impression of watching watercolours being poured across the stage. In addition, the use of light and shadow emphasises the power struggles between internal and external conflicts and amplifies these emotions to make the audience feel them viscerally.

Message in a Bottle shows the power, resilience and endurance that we all must face at some points in our lives. There are only a few dates at each city the tour stops in, so grab your tickets now before you miss out on this incredible show.

Evocative and beautiful.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Jamie Flowers

Message in a Bottle plays at Ensemble Arts, Academy of Music until 19 May before continuing on its tour. For more info, please click here.