Theatre with warmth and heart
The Meteor Theatre is transformed into the living room of Inga, a 95-year-old Danish grandmother, separated from her family during covid lockdown.
Performed as a solo show by Anders Falstie-Jensen of The Rebel Alliance Theatre company, Back to Square One has a vibe that is mellow, intimate, and accessible. You feel as if you are being invited in for a catch up over coffee, to share some stories, to bond over universal experiences, as humans do.
The stage is both literally and figuratively transformed as Falstie-Jensen, with a little help from the audience, uses chalk to place us in Inga’s living room and to draw and weave in the tales that unfold.
It’s a method that began in his driveway performance following the first lockdown and in outdoor locations since. It translates beautifully for its ‘winter season’ in the Meteor’s versatile black box space.
The
play is a personal exploration of themes of separation, taking time, sharing
stories, family connections, history and memories. In particular, it’s a story
about Inga, and her stories from a long life, and from Viking fiction and myth.
Falstie-Jensen’s skill is in presenting himself as everyman as he reveals some of the emotions and the ‘moments of beauty’ that were present for him from those slightly surreal months, and since. The implicit invitation is for us to reflect on our own experience as he shares his and draws threads together.
His performance style is warm and direct, it’s like chatting over the (socially distanced) fence with a friendly neighbour.
Don’t
be put off by the thought of audience interaction, Falstie-Jensen does all the
heavy lifting and when we are asked to make some small contributions, it is
gentle and easy, serving to engage us and connect us to the story.
Back
to Square One is a beautifully simple piece of theatre, with warmth and heart and
a sweet surprise at the end. It premiered as part of the Hamilton Gardens Arts
Festival, but was a truncated season due to Covid. Now it is back, I encourage
you to see it.
