Speechless

Speechless is the brainchild of performers Sara Di Segna and Toni Main, along with creative theatre maker Georgina Capper. Exploring the ideas for this show for the past year, they have concentrated heavily on differences experienced during communication and the misunderstandings that can occur from mixed messages. This performance takes on an intimate feel, not only with the small performing space, but with the very personal challenges that both performers have experienced; with one coming from an Italian background with English as a second language and another who is dyslexic.

The talented duo do a fine job in their interpretation of the piece, but I do wonder if I did not know the history of the show if the message and plot would have been as clear. Showing how we experience emotion through our bodies in the absence of words was quite beautiful and exhibited the frustration and anger that the lack of understanding can evoke. Clearly both women come from dancing backgrounds; their use of space and creative choreography was visually stunning.

This is the debut show of the group In Helvetica. If we are to judge by this performance I would say that the plot is a little ambiguous and raises more questions than answers. Some intense moments are shared between the women, however this is not enough to give this piece the clarity it needed, though maybe that was the point.

Kerry Cooper