Written, devised and
directed by Alirio Zavarce
A No Strings Attached
Theatre Of Disability production
The Q, Queanbeyan
Saturday September
13, 2014
Review by Len Power
Asking
a mother when she first met her child seems like an odd question to ask, but
you can count on some very interesting responses, as we saw in ‘Sons &
Mothers’ at the Q on Saturday night.
This
is a complex and unique theatrical work that is very entertaining and
ultimately very moving. Written, devised
and directed by Alirio Zavarce, this No Strings Attached Theatre Of Disability
production presents six men with disabilities who tell us about their
relationships with their mothers. With
the use of slides and video, their real mothers give us their candid views of
the relationship, too.
Venezuelan-born
director, Alirio Zavarce, whose brother is disabled, has developed and
fashioned this work in collaboration with his cast through workshops including
improvisations and movement over a three year period. In the program, he states that, ‘As the
writer I have crafted the performance, but the words each performer speaks are
his own. The work is alive and it will
change every night’.
Gently
guided by the director, each cast member presents his story directly to the
audience. Some of the stories are funny,
some are angry and all are quite moving.
There is no manipulation of emotions here, just simple statements of
truth. The one common factor to all the
stories is the love between sons and mothers.
The video comment by the mothers provides another aspect of the stories
as they unfold. The onstage presence of
these men and their ability to connect with an audience is truly remarkable and
not because they have a disability.
These are people who just have that indefinable something – a charisma –
that draws you to them like a magnet.
All
other elements of the production give a strong theatricality to the work. The set design by Kathyrn Sproul provides an
almost dreamlike atmosphere which is complemented by the excellent lighting
design by David Gadsden. Movement by
Aidan Munn adds another charming dimension to the show and the music by Mario
Spate is well-chosen. The clever and
thoughtful video design by Eugenia Lim, including projected quotes by famous
people about mothers, was especially well done.
Alirio
Zavarce has fashioned an extraordinary work that not only showcases his cast but
is also great theatre. The standing
ovation at the end of the performance was well-deserved. Mark Twain is one of the people quoted during
the performance. He said, ‘My mother had a great deal of trouble with me,
but I think she enjoyed it.’ I know I
enjoyed it!
Originally
broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Dress Circle’ showbiz program with Bill Stephens
on Sunday 14 September from 5pm.