Hull New Theatre – 28 September 2021
Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams
5*****
Passagers is a train journey like no other or rather a series of journeys on different trains in very different situations and places. Hull New Theatre in conjunction with the Dance Consortium and Freedom Festival Arts Trust presented us with the gem that is Passagers, delivered by The 7 Fingers. Passagers is written, directed and choreographed by Shana Carroll, assisted by Isabelle Chassé.
The advance publicity for Passagers describes The 7 Fingers as one of Canada’s leading circus companies – this does them a disservice, this is so much more than circus. Do not expect glitter and glam and showiness, instead look out for grit and joy, wit and poignancy and utter utter brilliance.
Passagers is performed by eight extremely talented artists and skilfully interlinks different stories and journeys. It shows us that train travel is about beginnings and ends, hope and despair, loneliness and joy and at times boredom. Sometimes it is not even about where you are going but about the journey itself. There is dance, music, speech and circus skills, but the circus skills are not just there for show, they help to tell the story.
This is a fast-moving show that mesmerises and draws you in, I could feel the audience around me holding their breath at times and at one point the entire theatre gave an audible gasp. It took us through the full range of emotions and the audience were fully invested in the performance.
There was jaw dropping trapeze and silks and juggling and hoops, both on the ground and in the air, there was tumbling and dance but through it all the story lines never faltered, the characterisation is always there, whether showing fragility, joy, sheer mischief or the despair of leaving loved ones. The 7 Fingers cast have superb timing, the eight cast members becoming one as the stories ebb and flow. There is not one stand out performer, they are all outstanding and reliant on one another to perform this piece.
The back drop varied according to the journey, with a variety of films showing places passed or train carriages or the lyrics to the music, it worked beautifully with the stories. The lighting added to the atmosphere of the piece, with its clever use of dark and shadows. The music emphasised the speed of the journey and the emotion of the characters at that time. A limited range of props were used with great effect, suitcases, luggage racks that doubled as train windows, and chairs that moved around for the layout of the different train carriages.
Hull is a city at the end of the line, our lives are full of journeys of leaving and arriving and of farewells and joyful reunions, I think this made Passagers even more poignant as we recognised ourselves in this piece.
I was totally enthralled for 90 minutes and was so disappointed when it was over, I would have happily watched it all over again. I clearly was not alone in this view as the entire theatre buzzed and roared at the end of the performance with a well-earned standing ovation.
It was an incredible privilege to review Passagers, to see such talent, to sit with my mouth agape in awe, to gasp at the sheer audacity and wonder and to be drawn into the beautiful stories. This really is a must-see performance – joyous, moving, exuberant, witty and jaw dropping. If The 7 Fingers are pulling into your local theatre with Passagers make sure to buy a ticket.