Raven at The Space
Somewhere on the Isle of Dogs and a stone’s throw away from the prominent Canary Wharf lies a converted church. A humble venue that stands in stark contrast to its towering neighbour, it’s a perfect place for a unique performance that juxtaposes the constraints of time against the freedom of nature. Upstairs, a well-stocked bar sets off a cosy eating area dotted with sunken leather sofas. The staff is welcoming, the atmosphere is informal and comforting – so much so that it’s hard to leave. Beneath the rustic charm of the lounge upstairs is The Space, a venue committed to providing a range of events and opportunities for new performances. It’s perfect for an innovative theatre company that dares to tell bold and intricate stories.
Raven, the work of Deborah Ward, is a beautifully magical play that harnesses the power of poetic movement, subtle expression and soundscapes in compelling storytelling. It first appeared at The Space as a 25 minute performance that was very much a work-in-progress. Since then, it has bloomed into a blissful 60 minutes of original theatre, so enchanting it bewitches the audience into a hypnotic trance.
The play follows an ethereal, magical genre, in which a family is crushed by the commercial greed of a time king and land owner. Taken prisoner, Faith (Maria Velazquez) finds herself caught between two worlds – Time and Nature. Finally falling in love with the king’s brother Pan, and liberated by nature, Faith must find a way to save her family.
There is no dialogue between the characters and, except for a brief introductory narration that epitomises some of the great fairy-tale voice-overs, the actors express their emotions through their faces and body. Movements are stylised to reflect the jarring movement of a clock’s ticking hands, and the fluidity of a river. So spectacular is the overall effect that it’s almost like watching real-life digital puppetry. Although the entire cast does a fantastic job, the one to watch is the extremely talented Maria Velazquez. With her porcelain features, she manages to speak a thousand words in a single expression, each one more hypnotic than the other. Equally, her body motions are just as captivating as her face. Annabel Brooke also impresses as an animated younger sister, doll-like, and reflecting an innocence way before her years.
Although far from conventional theatre, this play will neither bore nor be difficult to follow. A fascinating enigma, it offers something totally unique and special. Synaestheatre is a company definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Theodora Munroe
Raven is on at The Space Theatre from 18th August until 29th August 2015, for further information or to book visit here.
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