PLAYWAVE CREATIVE REVIEW: YOURS THE FACE

May 09, 2018

Photo by Liz Arday. 

YOURS THE FACE
Reviewed by Nicole Pingon

Lights. Camera. Action.

Blood Moon Theatre’s remount of Fleur Kilpatrick’s, Yours The Face, sheds light on the corruption of the fashion industry, and the shortcomings of gender equality in the 21st Century, this time explored through a focalised female lens, and told from a female voice and body.

Kilpatrick’s writing oscillates between sharp and poetic, taking us to the world behind the camera, revealing a classic story of two lost souls meeting on their separate walks of life. But something never feels quite right about this connection. Their relationship was doomed from the start, and continued to crumble as time went on.

Props to Daniela Haddad, for her strong solo performance, switching between the vastly disparate personas of the young and upcoming model, Emmy, and sleazy photographer, Peter. Haddad exuded a grounded energy - carrying the show, as she attempted to navigate the dilemmas of relationships and power dynamics.

However, I found that I wasn’t particularly invested in either of the characters. Neither was particularly likeable, nor explored in great depth, and in turn, I couldn’t seem to fully immerse myself in their world. I really didn’t expect to feel that about this show, and I wish I felt otherwise.

Naturally I was empathetic towards Emmy’s situation - being objectified and emotionally manipulated – but no matter how hard I tried to convince myself, I became aware that I didn’t actually empathise with her as a character when I wasn’t left wondering what happened to her after the two parted ways. I’m not really sure what the piece was lacking – perhaps an enhanced complexity within the characters themselves.

The World Bar provided an intimate theatre - telling a big story, from a modest space. Lighting was predominantly provided by a whimsical and colourful video installation. This visual element when accompanied with the ambient sound design, effectively assisted the navigation through various locations in the show, however, was distracting at times, particularly when Haddad’s face was lost in the darkness of the projected images, ultimately taking away from the power of her performance.

This story is so important to be shared, and something I’m excited to see given an opportunity to be put on stage. But this performance didn’t quite get there for me. Perhaps I expected too much. Admittedly, I went in with a preconceived idea of what the show would be like, and in retrospect I think that impeded on my overall experience.

YOURS THE FACE
1 May - 12 May
Blood Moon Theatre
Inside The World Bar.