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2023

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breaDth

breaDth

breaDth

3/5

By Fringebiscuit

Crumpled paper card with big black capitals reading We Read Just the Title and We're Giving 5/5, No Notes, and a red balloon held in a hand

The Twittique / TL;DR

@SohayaV 's magical-realist epic depicts true-life inspired COVID-19 stories overlayed by the those of medieval plagues. Despite blunt choreography & unclear storylines, the compelling characters & ambitious set design form a unique exploration of human vulnerability.

From the formidably creative minds @SohayaV & Mukul and Ghetto Tigers comes #breaDth, a piece of theatre that weaves magical realism (think @PaoloCoelho’s #TheAlchemist) with pandemic-era narratives…Set against the dual backdrop of the 14th-century Great Plague & present-day COVID-19, the drama takes us through a labyrinth of racial prejudice, elder care & the unsung heroism of health workers…We follow the relationship between an NHS nurse & an elderly patient with dementia, who displays racial prejudice, preferring to have “someone white” care for her. A parallel plot introduces the philosopher Ibn Khaldun as a spectral presence. This adds a historical connection to the piece but presents a narrative challenge, as his sporadic interventions sometimes detract from the flow of the story, creating detours in the plot that can leave audiences disoriented 🔄…Raminder Kaur's writing boldly addresses systemic racism, negligence in elderly care, and the plight of healthcare workers. However, the script often walks a tightrope between explicit statements & obscure metaphors, causing moments of confusion & disconnection…Design-wise, breaDth is a visual smorgasbord, merging mundane objects w/ symbolic ones. However, the choice of some props & set pieces occasionally appears disjointed from the main storyline, taking viewers on an unexpected, sometimes disorienting, scenic rollercoaster 🎢…The movement sections, while intending to enhance the dramatic tension, may be too jarring for some. The graphic depictions of illness symptoms, including severe coughing & sudden, collapsing deaths feel like blunt representation that begs for more nuance…Despite the challenges, there are shining spots in breaDth. The characters are multifaceted & human, providing a glimpse into a spectrum of experiences during these trying times. breaDth's exploration of pressing social issues makes it a noteworthy show… Despite its issues, breaDth deserves credit for its thematic courage & earnest portrayal of pandemic-related struggles. It's a must-see for its timely resonance with our current reality…

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