Sunday, 1 November 2020

THEATRE REVIEW: In The Absence Of Silence - Chickenshed Theatre, London.


Premiered on YouTube last week, 'In The Absense Of Silence' is an emsemble theatre piece which takes verbatim converstions from workshops and creates a one hour piece of theatre from them.

"Home should be the safest place"

An extensive outreach programme was undertaken called 'Survivors' which worked with those women who have either suffered or are still suffering from domestic abuse in North Wales, and in a retelling and reimagining of those stories, five actresses  perform an honest, realistic and uncompromising piece set on a beach as the five gather for a picnic and begin to chat and share their experiences.

Domestic abuse is unacceptable and horrific during the best of times, but especially now, we need to raise awareness more than ever as thousands are once again facing the reality of being locked in the same house as their abuser continuously for at least a month under the forthcoming lockdown restrictions. 

"The person I love is a monster."

This play does offer hope though. The realisation that they are the victims helps them to grow in confidence and decide not to be victims any longer. Again showing that there is strength in community and solidarity in togetherness. Many domestic abuse victims wouldn't have the strength or the conviction to tackle it alone.

Performed on a mostly bare stage with just a few simple items to signify beach and picnic, as well as a screen and backcloth, this play, written by Dave Carey and directed by Joseph Morton, allows the actresses to make the narrative our primary focus and the intensity of their performances is - despite the filmed medium - quite electric.

Truthful, frank, and inspiring. The five actresses were Charlotte Bull, Elsie Lyons, Jojo Morrall, Louise Perry, and Holly Skinner.

Reviewer - Chris Benchley.
on - 30/10/20




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