Container is a new polyphonic performance, leaning heavily on the audio experience with the performers creating a beautiful soundscape that layers voices, effects, and musical instruments. The script is interesting; the idea being that these voices overlap and bombard, at times only one, but at times sounds and voices overwhelming the listener, much in the manner that information in the digital ages bombards us during our waking moments. As a piece of theatre, it is at times highly effective, but at times lacking specificity in the direction and purpose, resulting in moments that shine, weighed down by moments that feel indulgent. This is in no part due to the performances of the 5 company members, each of which are quite interesting to watch, and demonstrate exceptional range and skill in their vocal performance. Their outstanding vocal performances were truly something to behold. The idea of performing sounds in such an onslaught while not new (this was the central concept of my own MA dissertation over 10 years ago in response to Great Reckonings in Little Rooms’ central argument) is executed in an interesting manner, leveraging technology and music to create the cacaphony aligned with our own day to day experiences, bringing voice to the loneliness, and the simultaneous feeling of being overwhelmed.
polyphonic