'Waltzing On' is a student devised project which lasts 45 minutes through. Performed by first year students on the Arden Theatre School's Theatre And performance degree course, and directed by Chris Bowler, this production consisted of a string of thematically but not narratively related sketches using performance techniques that these 9 students have learned during their year's study at the school.
Advertising itself as "...a seriously absurd attempt to belong in twenty-first century Britain", these sketches included lampooning of both American and British politicians and politics as well as a cri-du-coeur for the world's acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQ community, the disabled, in fact, everyone who is labelled as 'different' by different governments or countries. Some of the sketches worked much better than others, but I felt it might have been an idea - just for audience clarity if nothing else - to either announce who they were lampooning, or have, Brechtian-like, a sign around them saying who they were. Some of it reminded me quite strongly of 'Animal Farm', whilst other parts were quite 'Clockwork Orange'-ish.
Overall the unmic'd dialogue was not loud enough. I always try where possible, to sit on the back row of the theatre when reviewing, and it was abundantly clear here that the actors / actresses in this group would have benefited greatly from some vocal tuition in voice production. Also, whilst I am thinking about ways to improve their work, when the production is titled 'Waltzing On' and the show features at least two sections where the cast are required to waltz, then perhaps they should also have learned to dance this correctly. I saw no reason in their performance why they should have ben deliberately mis-dancing.
The lighting design was excellent and worked well throughout, costuming was minimal but the idea of using a standard school uniform as a base to work from was well considered; sadly though the sound levels were very poor. As I have already stated, much of the speaking was too quiet whilst the pop / punk music used for several sketches was ear-piercingly loud and jarred.
This was a multi-media project with a strong message, leaving us in no doubt who their sponsors were, with the last sketch and message emblazoned on the video screen and not allowing the cast to return for a curtain call, the last thing we saw was a plea for medical aid to Palestine.
A brave and thoughtful production, much of which was obviously very heartfelt, but the overall impression was one of a fragmented and disjointed production with little or no cohesion between each vignette or sketch. We were not at times entirely sure what or who the cast were satirising, therefor a little more signposting in this regard would have been appreciated.
Reviewer - Alastair Zyggu
on - 2.5.25
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