Quays Theatre, The Lowry, Manchester – October 18th 2017. Reviewed by Julie Noller
5*****
Before I arrived at The Lowry I knew that Under Glass had begun life at Sadler’s Wells and had an award winning run at Edinburgh Fringe, meaning that I should quite possibly expect the unexpected. Collecting my tickets I checked for my seat number, oh oh there wasn’t one, meaning this also was quite possibly going to challenge my perception of normal.
As I sat with a coffee I watched the patrons leaving the first showing, most looked openly puzzled others quietly animated. My curiosity was aroused, wondering what lay ahead for us the audience. We were all gathered together, a small audience almost intimate and given a briefing, it would be very dark but don’t worry there would be staff inside to help if needed, feel free to stand, sit or perch on the carpeted floor, stools or cushions. It would not be a static performance and some movement will be needed, wriggling would not be frowned upon. Lastly we were encouraged to turn phones off completely and then leave our bags and coats in area set aside – some people felt uncomfortable leaving bags but for me I enjoyed the performance without worrying about hitting someone with my bag, this was all about me and the performers. I always take a glance at the audience before watching any performance and we all looked slightly nervous, does anyone truly like to be confronted with change against the norm?
From the programme I knew that Under Glass is a series of seven individual performance pieces, each of which takes place within a glass jar or container.
I’m priviledged to be part of an exclusive group to have watched this performance, Under Glass should have its own fan club, encouraging us to get together and discuss our own interpretation. Its all down to exactly that, the interpretation of the viewer. What was right and wrong – I have no idea but I don’t feel questioned as I was at school and expected to give the politically correct answer. My thoughts and feelings kept changing, altering my view on the lives taking place before me, was it taking place in history? Was I seeing a collision of time and space? Snippets of lives as they don’t notice how they connect with each other? At first I thought am I witnessing inside someones mind, is it mental illness? Is this person having a breakdown, retreating inside their own mind? Is this life on show monotonous and boring? Burying deep inside the same routine, the coffin that is their life. I saw a Mrs Bucket figure, I saw the loneliness of the late night phone calls just to hear another human voice. I felt scared I wanted to reach out and tell these individuals that I notice them. I heard a thousand jumbled voices all colliding within the music easily connecting lives without acknowledging each other. I wished I knew morse code, was there a secret message and I’ve missed out on it? Different areas showed us different lives and again they were all down to our interpretation, each exhibit had its own name which equally challenged that perception. End of the World cabaret, how often do we long to break free from the confines of our lives? Or box in this case? Just to feel the wet grass, to stretch and roll. Without the feeling that it’s wrong that we just don’t do that!
The couple or to use its correct name The twins, sharing a connection, trying to reach out to each other without them actually knowing, how often do we just not connect and spend precious time with those closest to us? The movements are superb almost like watching a child developing inside the womb.
There are so many layers to Under Glass, you watch intently trying to interpret what is unfolding before you. I loved the fact that I felt scared yet I don’t know why I was scared. I loved the fact it was confusing, making me question everything. I loved the fact that for 45 minutes I was engaged in the ultimate people watching extravaganza. I left The Lowry feeling that life on no level is actually boring or simple. We can try to understand who is around us but deep down human beings can be unpredictable and try to break free from convention… if only we don’t allow fear to shape us.
In it’s own way Under Glass is encouraging and uplifting – remember there’s no such thing as can’t, allow yourself to enjoy Under Glass while you can.