StoryHouse Live! Chester – Tuesday November 6th 2018
Reviewed by Julie Noller
4****
Sometimes you read the synopsis of a show and it couldn’t be written any better than for Stopgap Dance Company’s The Enormous Room, it is indeed a thoughtful, moving and uplifting show, it does exactly what it says on the tin. It was a shame more people didn’t join us but a small intimate audience tonight witnessed Lucy Bennett’s wonderful concept and direction up on stage, it’s touching and bewitching.
Mesmerised by the whole first act; I didn’t know where to gaze first, for anyone touched by grief, it’s those small fine details you notice, the old black and white romantic movies playing in the background that chase away any thoughts that may replay over and over again in your head.
Stopgap have put together an eclectic group of artists, this performance is about two things Grief and Disability, what occurred to me is that both touch everyone in so many ways and quite often it’s heartbreaking, ultimately human resilience helps us to continue on our path. Some disabilities are obvious, acknowledged in everyday struggles yet grief is equal to any physical and mental disability in that it can be debilitating and often misunderstood. Choosing to acknowledge both a disability and grief can be for many the way to recovery and acceptance.
The set of The Enormous Room, well it’s confusing and oversized, cabinets tipped on their side, doors as tables and tables as beds. You have to think as you sit and stare; how many people sleep where they sit, simply because they can’t face life alone? David Toole is Dave, widower and father to Sam, the brilliant Hannah Simpson. Those few words spoken by Dave in the torment of his grief are highly emotive and displayed across the room on the doors of those cabinets. Those few people around us are catching their breaths and the silence is almost unbearable. The first act centres around that one room, how the world has come crashing in on this family, a husband has lost his beloved wife and a daughter has lost her fun loving mother. Sam could also face the prospect of losing her father to his grief, at a time she needs him the most. There are surreal moments, when Jackie appears almost as in negative format choppy and as a double; Meritxell Checa and Elia Lopez portray Jackie together and mirroring each other. Of course interpretation could have us talking all night, firstly Jackie the wife and secondly as Jackie the mother perhaps? Dressed the same with identical movements we realise she is one in the same, often breathing the same as the other characters a simple movement that highlights the fact that Jackie is a mere memory. Her photographs are missing from the bare walls, Sam can touch and hug those same walls her mother used to grace. Nadenh Poan is Chock or deaths servant, whizzing around the furniture with amazing grace and elegance, or twirling in his wheel chair, he strikes a chord as the insanity of grief, the confusion of how time stands still as we listen to the music playing affecting us further, pulling our senses apart with the tick tock of an old clock.
Poor Dave can’t touch or look at Sam his daughter, he attempts to shut Jackie and his feelings in a drawer, where she remains, he is simply overwhelmed and unable to deal with, wrapped up in his self absorbed sorrow. David Toole has a strength of character I can’t help but watch and be drawn to, his speed and nimbleness around that stage is incredible. Hannah Sampson you know is enjoying herself on stage, she’s a young girl in torment. Missing both her mother and father, she’s alone trying to keep the memories of her mother alive. Turning to her friend for comfort and attention, her intimate dances with Tom, Christian Brinklow are somewhat sad. Yet powerfully energetic. Heading into the second act this is her time to shine, Clinging to her mother we witness the tussle with Chock, for death touches all around including Tom. It affects us in so many ways. How easily Tom picks up and twists both Jackie and Sam as characters intertwine and confuse each other. I’m glad to say there is a somewhat happy ending, Sam and Dave sit together reconciled after Jackie has found her peace and left father and daughter to be together as they sit with backs to the audience, breathing simply mirroring each other as one.
Grief and Disability are hard subjects to tackle, quite often taboo, not talked about; hard to deal with. The Enormous Room not only highlights both with a group of highly talented entertainers/dancers but there is so much content that will have anyone touched by either feeling every emotion intended. No one should ever feel lost or ashamed for everyone has something to offer.