REVIEW | REWIND, New Diorama Theatre

Reviews

2 Feb

Written by Eleanor

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

Please be aware, this performance contains themes of death and grief and occasional flashing lights with the use of replica human remains.'

This one act, one hour piece was first premiered by the Ephemeral Ensemble at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2023 to critical acclaim. REWIND tells a story of resistance, oppression and tyranny against the backdrop of the forced ‘disappearance’ of people during the military dictatorship in Argentina. We are invited to look at this deeply troubling history by a group of forensic anthropologists as they discover a mass grave and the personal histories which lie within. Although the subject matter is both difficult and troubling, it was presented in a digestible way. These universal themes of grief and loss paired with the highly sensory presentation made for a very impactful and powerful piece of theatre.

Following a brief summary of the show’s historical basis, we are introduced to Alicia (Louise Wilcox) and her mother (Eyglo Belafonte). In only her early 20s, Alicia has disappeared and her mother is desperate for answers. The presentation of a flashback scene, showcasing the close relationship between these two characters, was remarkably innovative. The mother, equipped with a TV remote, was shown desperately trying to pause moments and rewind to better times. Eyglo Belafonte’s display of frustration when the remote no longer functioned was particularly impactful. This kind of original storytelling set the tone for the entire piece.

Despite minimal dialogue, the emotional depth and meaning of REWIND was conveyed through movement, lighting, and music. The most memorable moment for me involved puppetry; as scientists uncovered the identity of a skeleton, the skeleton itself reached out, seeming to symbolise a plea for its story to be told. This scene left a deep emotional impact. And while the story primarily revolves around Alicia, another character, played by Andres Velasquez, was introduced using excellent puppetry and music. I made particular note of how more uplifting and joyous music was played during his empowering speech, which then shifted to include more darker tones as the rebellion is shown to have been thwarted. Moments such as these showcased Alex Paton’s mastery of soundscapes. Considering the very limited dialogue used throughout the piece, his work gave me a clear idea of where I was and the emotions which were being played out on stage. The show also excelled in its use of lighting and projection, skilfully handled by Josephine Tremelling. Every key moment in REWIND was elevated, such as the mother searching for her daughter while under a direct spotlight or the swinging of a lightbulb on a long cord to make a rioting scene all the more dynamic. Notably, the use of an old-school projector to move droplets of water and colour over a still image was the most moving and memorable moment in the show for me.

Another strength of this piece is its willingness and ability to slow down and allow the audience to contemplate the conveyed messages and story. Actions such as turning around the boxes of remains on the back wall, and leaving the audience to examine the pictures of those entombed on the reverse, created a very poignant experience. By the end, several audience members were visibly moved to tears. It is very rare for me to see a production which gets a reaction such as that.

Overall, I found REWIND to be an expertly crafted piece of theatre. Every section included expressive and innovative techniques I had not seen before and also used lighting, projection and puppetry very skillfully. The soundscapes created by Paton using a loop station on the night were rich and full, effectively conveying the story's nuances without the group having to rely heavily on dialogue. The overall experience was emotionally charged and left a lasting impression, as I came away considering the show’s message of resistance and justice. REWIND is a rare find with a touching and important message and I would recommend a visit to the New Diorama Theatre before the show goes on tour.

REWIND is playing at the New Diorama Theatre from the 30th January 2024 until the 10th February 2024.