MUSIC REVIEW: Stages To: Chickenshed Theatre, London.

As part of Chickenshed Theatre's continued support of creatives during the lockdown as well as their real connection with youth culture and theatre for the next generation, a series of online shorts, from past productions and presentations under the banner "Stages To" has been released. Here we look at just three of these.

The first was a TV event from way back in 2013 called 'Redemption Song'. Here, in this 5 minute song, all about black slavery and a cry for freedom and hope, a black male singer, with backing vocalists, piano accompaniment and gospel choir take us passionately through this chant, whilst a corps of contemporary ballet dancers interpret the music and lyrics in their own way in front of them.
It's visually satisfying and the whole is a hymn / gospel / dance fusion and excellently presented.

The next piece came from earlier this year, and the Young Company peforming the 4-minute piece 'Rise Up: Sharing The Dream'. The parallels with the Redemption Song purely in terms of presentation were incredible. This time a female soloist but accompanied by backing singers, a band and choir, whilst in front of this a young man in a wheelchair performs a contemporary interpretive dance with a female partner. This time though the message of the song is that in spite of difficulties and miseries, we must not lose hope. Again a visual and aural feast.

The final piece watchd was another short 5 minute piece, again from a TV event in 2019. Titled, 'Blinded By Your Grace' it used the contemporary pop song by Stormzy to ameliorate the Christian message and after hearing of slavery and the affects and legacy of such a series of attrocities has, and then moving on to more physical difficulties being presented, this final piece gave a message of love, hope and harmony / togetherness. Powerfully and sincerely performed by the entire company of singers, rappers, musicians, choir and dancers.

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 21/7/20