Underwater adventures make a big splash in Jellyfish, a physical theatre show by Cherese Sonkkila that brings an unusual sea creature to life. With an expressive performer and an ocean world populated by colourful marine life, the production invites us to follow the jellyfish on its journey beneath the waves.
Sonkkila has excellent facial expressions and, in a largely non-verbal piece where the central figure never speaks, does a good job of conveying its emotions and depicting its escapades to the audience. When it falls in love with a human diver it encounters one day, Sonkkila brings warmth and personality to the role, making the growing attachment easy to understand.
Its costume is quite impressive, adding to the fantasy and mystery of the ocean. The jellyfish’s head is illuminated from within, silver tinsel forms its tentacles, and an ice-blue gown drapes over Sonkkila. The design helps animate the jellyfish, enhancing the visual appeal of the deep sea setting. But the starfish could benefit from a more elaborate outfit. Given the narrator uses words such as incandescent, dazzling and beguiling to describe how it looks, it would be great to see these qualities reflected in its design.
The puppeteered sea creatures are beautifully and creatively constructed, and their first appearance is one of the performance’s most captivating moments. Along with the score, they form an enchanting scene that captures the feeling of living beneath the sea.
The puppeteered sea creatures are beautifully and creatively constructed, and their first appearance is one of the performance’s most captivating moments. Along with the score, they form an enchanting scene that captures the feeling of living beneath the sea.
The soundtrack features songs for the jellyfish to dance to, spanning styles from Shura’s “Touch” to Destiny’s Child’s “Bootylicious”. Sonkkila’s choreography further animates the role, presenting its feelings through movement rather than words, particularly during the scene when the jellyfish undergoes a magical transformation.
However, the transitions between scenes, when Sonkkila goes backstage to change costumes, could be better executed. At present, viewers are left facing an empty stage, or the stage manager appears to bob a “jellyfish” around to fill the time. These interludes interrupt the flow and could be handled more imaginatively to maintain the sense of wonder being established.
The production rewards patience. Some sequences go on a little too long, including one in which the audience listen to the sounds of the ocean through a seashell and another that prompts them to make wishes. As Jellyfish builds towards its finale, you do become more invested in its adventures, with the fantastical costumes and props, puppetry and choreography combining to create a whimsical underwater experience.
SHOW DETAILS
Venue: The Motley Wherehaus, 432 Queen St, Melbourne
Season: until 18 October | 7.55pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $28 Full | $23 Conc | $21 Hump Day Wednesday
Bookings: Melbourne Fringe Festival
Image credit: Lucinda Goodwin
No comments:
Post a Comment