4 stars
The Flanagan Collective & Gobbledigook Theatre have produced another brilliant show that’s sure to delight audiences.
As we step into the De Parel Spiegeltent, we see the space will be used unconventionally for this show. It may seem daunting at first, with no immediate seating for the audience, but the performers are welcoming and encourage everyone to be as involved as they want to be: dance, grab a drink, sway, stand, whatever. The point here is to enjoy the performance collectively (seating can be arranged, however, for anyone who needs it).
Image courtesy of The Flanagan Collective & Gobbledigook Theatre
The Gods The Gods The Gods presents an interwoven story that shifts from spoken word to lyrics, from music to pre-recorded voiceover.
As the performers move through, amongst, and around the crowd, each of the three sharing different performance points in the room, they become as interwoven with us as the story is with the show.
It’s a nice parallel to observe as people variously dance, sway, and hold one another while the show flows through the room.
With the performers shifting continually, and the audience standing rather than sitting, this is a dynamic experience. The music shifts in style, as does the storytelling, with a compelling mix of blues, electronic, and hip-hop pieces.
This complex production feels rich rather than cluttered, with not a word wasted and a gradual building of the narrative well supported by the shifting nature of the piece.
This energetic show is filled with heart and draws beauty from impassioned depths. Alexander Wright’s spoken word style is a highlight, driving the momentum, his words drifting, lilting, and tumbling amongst us.
While The Gods The Gods The Gods explores the notion of gods, the role of storytelling, and the value of individual thought and action, it’s also structured in such a way that it allows the audience to decide what the overarching narrative means to them.
Tickets available from the FRINGE WORLD website.
JASMIN SEABROOK-BENSON