Helen at The Lowry, Manchester Review
Helen
The Lowry, Manchester
29-30 September 2014
Reviewed by Victoria Daubney
I arrived at the Lowry Theatre just as it was turning dark. The building looked impressive lit up against the black back drop of the evening. I picked up my tickets from the front desk, and after being served by a polite and friendly young man I headed to the Quays Bar to wait for the doors to open to the Quays Theatre, where the night’s performance was being held. The time passed quickly as I took in the lights from Media City reflecting on the water.
As I walked into the Quays Theatre I was struck by how impressive the set was. A bedroom scene with a large four poster bed draped in white sheets as the centre piece. There was eerie music playing in the background that really helped to create the mood of mystery and intrigue as to what the performance would be like.
The audience was mixed, with a class of students taking up almost two rows. There were couples ranging from their twenties into later years, and even a few people there on their own. The Quays Theatre is the smaller of the two main theatres at the Lowry so there is always a more intimate feel with the performances. The style of the theatre is reminiscent to an old music hall, and the seat I was in on row N was dead centre and on eye level with the stage, which was perfect. There was plenty of leg room and the seats were really comfortable.
The show was a two handed performance, and was based around the Greek myth of Helen of Troy. The story had been adapted and focused on Helen in her later years, after many failed marriages and with strong current day themes running throughout. The two characters, Helen and her guard, interacted together in a way that left you curious as to what their relationship was, lovers, enemies, a prisoner and her keeper? The hour long show was intense and multi-dimensional, incorporating aerial skills, performed using the bed frame. The music throughout the performance was extremely well selected and helped support the emotions that were being portrayed by the performers.
I didn’t really know what to expect going into the show. How it would be performed or what angle the story would take. The performance was very thought provoking, with times where you could interpret the aerial displays to mean what you wanted them to. Within an hour, you had been taken on an emotional journey that mesmerised and held the audience’s attention for the full 60 minutes.
When the performance was over there was a post-show talk, attended by the two performers Tamsin Shasha (who also co-wrote the show), Marcos Tajadura and the co-writer and director Jonathan Young. This was really interesting to hear about how the idea for the show had been developed and the decisions to make the show a two handed performance instead of a solo. It was surprising to hear that it had been created within only 4 weeks. The audience were able to ask questions and it helped me to understand and appreciate the show more after hearing the ideas from where it was created.
For people who enjoy contemporary theatre with a twist, that encourages you to explore hidden meanings in seemingly obvious actions this show is a must see. For those who prefer a show that is ‘easy to watch’ and doesn’t need the audience to think too deeply about it, this performance may not be best suited.
Rating: 4.5/5
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000
