Showing @ Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh until Sun 25 Aug @ times vary
Grief is daunting, it’s overwhelming and it lingers. And while it’s easy to come across theatre that tackles this subject, it’s harder to find something quite as candid about the process of healing as Brokentalkers’ Have I No Mouth. The Dublin-based company make work that responds to the contemporary world and this does just that: real-life mother and son Ann and Feidlim Cannon confront the unnecessary death of their husband and father 12 years ago.
Memories are recreated through imagery and symbolism; the aesthetics are carefully considered and thoughtfully executed. It has a slow but steady pace consistent with the reflective tone that exposes their vulnerability. Ann and Feidlim are joined onstage by their psychotherapist, who also multi-roles throughout. The performers build a relationship with the audience through direct address and inviting them to participate in short exercises. The crux of this production is shared experience: connecting people through their emotions and their own understanding of the healing process. And when words don’t suffice, theatre speaks.
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