Zoe Joblin
In Circle of Sound and Story, performers share story and song through a rotating rhythm of open scenes and a capella music making. It begins it’s journey as the whole cast barrel onstage with their excitement in hot pursuit. Their Melbourne-based Director, Linda Calgaro, gives a brief welcome and the cycle begins almost immediately.
The game goes like this: Performers walk around the undressed stage in random circles before jumping into an improvised scene at whim. Any player can call an end to the scene and lead the group into a song circle. The song starts with a basic vocal rhythm; performers then add their voices and the sound grows and evolves until Calgaro subtly uses the volume of her voice to end the song; and the cycle begins again.
The players take on a variety of rhythms, pitches and other vocal qualities to create songs. The most brilliant moments come when one or two players lead a song with a passionate performance that raises the energy of the whole group beyond their “go to” vocal offer. Every moment of song is enjoyable but there are one or two that are pure joy. I wonder if it is a conscious choice not to include lyrics in the songs as I am curious about what dimension they could add.
The style of the show feels free and give rise to a beautiful array of real and absurd characters, high stakes and emotionally nuanced stories. Performers have a sixth sense through the cycling motion of the show which engenders listening, connection and succinct story telling with well-chosen end points. For the vast majority, scenes and transitions are fun, inviting and satisfyingly abstract. The performers do a wonderful job of weaving themselves into the chaos and near the end Calgaro can’t squeeze into a scene herself between the enthusiasm of the other players. The stories shared, sweep from Sweden to New York to awkward Christmas’ to office parties to romance in mum’s basement.
I would highly recommend seeing Circle of Sound and Story when it is next presented. The dual nature of the show is a welcome balance between and dialogues and uplifting soundscapes; with a unique format it is a wonderful addition to a festival of spontaneous theatre. It was presented as part of the New Zealand Improv Festival 2016 at BATS theatre.
The players take on a variety of rhythms, pitches and other vocal qualities to create songs. The most brilliant moments come when one or two players lead a song with a passionate performance that raises the energy of the whole group beyond their “go to” vocal offer. Every moment of song is enjoyable but there are one or two that are pure joy. I wonder if it is a conscious choice not to include lyrics in the songs as I am curious about what dimension they could add.
The style of the show feels free and give rise to a beautiful array of real and absurd characters, high stakes and emotionally nuanced stories. Performers have a sixth sense through the cycling motion of the show which engenders listening, connection and succinct story telling with well-chosen end points. For the vast majority, scenes and transitions are fun, inviting and satisfyingly abstract. The performers do a wonderful job of weaving themselves into the chaos and near the end Calgaro can’t squeeze into a scene herself between the enthusiasm of the other players. The stories shared, sweep from Sweden to New York to awkward Christmas’ to office parties to romance in mum’s basement.
I would highly recommend seeing Circle of Sound and Story when it is next presented. The dual nature of the show is a welcome balance between and dialogues and uplifting soundscapes; with a unique format it is a wonderful addition to a festival of spontaneous theatre. It was presented as part of the New Zealand Improv Festival 2016 at BATS theatre.
