Murmur – The Ark – Review

Part of the Dublin Theatre Festival

Murmur (Grensgeval I.C.W. Aifoon, Belgium) an imaginative performance of acrobatic sound theatre that appeals to the senses,
Suitable for ages 4+ (11-13 Oct). Tickets: €15-€17.50. Duration: 50 mins

This work is aimed at children aged four and over. It is an unusual concept, performed in the round in the Ark Theatre. As you enter the theatre, you are confronted with a large number of backpacks on the ground and beside the seats. When the audience has taken their seats, you are instructed to put the backpacks on, which for some of the adults in the audience, required a substantial amount of adjustment! We are then joined on stage by Camiel Corneille, our main performer in this production exploring sound and movement.

In the opening section of the production, Camiel brings out several handheld speakers. he places them around the space, often giving them to individuals to hold. The speakers then come to life, with the sounds of water, birds, snow and other natural elements. This piece continues to create a swirling wall of sound!

The next section includes two large speakers that are taken from behind the rows of seating. The speakers are connected to straps hanging from the ceiling, which allow them to be hurled through the air. The backpacks then come to life, and each pack contains a speaker, which you can hear and feel reverberate as the show continues! The final element of the show is an acrobatic display by Camiel, as he initially dodges and dances between the swirling speakers and then eventually, climbs on top of them and flies through the air.

There is no story to the piece and it is largely without words. In this sense, it could appeal to younger children and there were a few tots in the audience. We hear cats, birds, bees and dogs. The soundscape created by the various speakers was very impressive and also the acrobatic display was enough to dazzle the children, with much cackling of laughter and delight. It’s always nice to see something different from the norm and this piece definitely has a unique slant.

Credits:

Directed by Hanne Vandersteene and Mahlu Mertens
Concept by Hanne Vandersteene, Mahlu Mertens, and Stijn Dickel
Dramaturgy by Mieke Versyp
Lighting Design: Geert Vanoorlé
Sound Design: Stijn Dickel (aifoon)
Costume Design: Dorine Demuynck
Cast: Cecilia Rosso / Camiel Corneille