Theatre
Beth
Bone Sparrow
A Theatre Royal review for the Bone Sparrow
When you hold a seashell up to your ear, what do you hear? Well, the reality of the situation is, it’s the sound of a noise that's produced when the air entering the seashell bounces about in the hollow space inside. But wouldn’t it be nice if the sound really was the sea crashing on the shore?
…Wouldn’t that reality be so much better?
In a stage adaptation of the novel ‘The Bone Sparrow’ presented by Pilot Theatre, originally written by Zana Fraillon and S. Shakthidharan as the playwright, it tells the story of a young boy refugee named Subhi born in a permanent detention centre in Australia. Him and his loved ones are able to deal with the given treatment through individual goals and coping mechanisms, despite the bleak situation- and more than anything, explores just how powerful
imagination can be within the concept of hope. As an outsider looking in, we’re most likely fortunate enough to never have been in a similar situation- but the performance makes you never forget just how real it is and how easy it can happen to people like you or me in a different circumstance.
The production was incredibly visual, which you’d expect for a stage production- but it worked specifically well because of the transference of what the characters were imagining onto the stage. The use of lighting and effects throughout made me feel as if I was looking directly into the minds of the people; almost like I was warmly welcomed into a private memory. Even afterwards the physical acting added to this stunned me into a thought-provoking silence. I was unsure what to think at the time, because the whole experience felt so intimate between the characters- the chemistry with each of the relationships was just right- and normally for me, it’s difficult to have an understanding of a situation as intense as this because I feel as if it’s not my place. Saying that, the further the show went on, the more you felt let into a completely different world- which perfectly captures the imaginative aspects of it all.
Dealing with topics such as imprisonment, there were bound to be delicate themes- so for those interested in going it’s important to keep that in mind. Especially with current situations mentioned in the news, such tension can increase the sensitivity when watching particular scenes. However, the timing of this is especially apt. With recent updates about Russia and Ukraine, it’s a realistic viewpoint of those closely afflicted by the situation, and it gives an insight to how they might hold onto a hope as well.
The last showing of this wonder is at 7:30pm with ticket prices at only £5- if you’re able to see it, it’s an experience you’ll be thinking about for a very long time.