Review: THE BLOODY CHAMBER, Proteus Theatre Company
Photo credit: Russ Francis Photography
Well, what can I say Besties? It certainly was an incredible experience to be back in the theatre. This feminist re-telling of Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber is infused with comedy, acrobatic spectacle, and an incredible message for all those watching.
For those of you that are not familiar, The Bloody Chamber is a collection of short stories, based on fairy tales that we have all been told before. The Bloody Chamber is based on the story of Bluebeard, The Werewolf is based on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and there are many more stories to enjoy.
The performances given by the cast are wonderful and cannot be criticised. This all-female cast – Jessica Andrade, Megan Brooks, Ashley Christmas, Anesta Mathurin and Lorraine Moynehan – are able to perform their characters with the perfect balance of comedy and mystery. Their ability to multi-role and embody numerous characters within minutes of each other is both refreshing and admirable. It is incredible to see a group of diverse women working together to create a performance that is driven by female empowerment and strength.
The set design – by Sam Pine – is well thought out and every part of the stage serves a function to the telling of the story. When you step into the theatre, there is an immense feeling of stepping into a storybook and being transported to another realm, like Alice when she fell into Wonderland. Not a single area of the design is out of place or without purpose and it is such a wonderful thing to not only see, but to experience during the performance. The incorporation of projections, shadow and the manipulation of light is enticing yet incredibly suitable and appropriate. Not only this but the direction and adaptation, skilfully done by Mary Swan, is so refreshing and I personally look forward to seeing more of her work in the future. Adaptation in theatre is fantastic and the vision she has for this show, and the way she manipulates the original text to give it a home on the stage is something that cannot be ignored or criticised. A very talented woman!
But the biggest showstopper – as I am sure, Besties, many spectators will agree – is the aerial and acrobatic elements that give the show the life and grandeur of a circus act. Without a harness in sight, these performers climb cages and hang from the ceiling as though it is the most normal thing to them, although it can certainly be suggested that their strength and ability to do such a thing is well rehearsed and practiced. Mary Swan acknowledges in the program that “circus works well for Angela’s work because The Bloody Chamber is incredibly poetic and theatrical” and I 100% agree! The show without this aspect would have still been amazing, but the addition of it makes it spectacular and almost magical.
The magic of this show lies within its performers and the director. A diverse group of women have created a spectacular show for the stage, giving a feminist twist on a selection of fairy tales, which is incredibly suitable for the world we live in.
But it isn’t the negative aspects that we should choose to take away from this show. Although we are reminded that there are a lot of women out there who “shouldn’t” walk alone at night with their headphones in or who should have their keys between their fingers as they walk home, there is something more important to remember. Community, support, and self-love. For everyone.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Megan Webb
For more information on Proteus Theatre Company and their productions, please click here.