last night we took some of SPOTLITES Theatres youth theatre to see hashtag#GhostShips by Icon.
It was great to have a show of this scale on our doorstep in a location of such historical significance. The show celebrates the history of The Historic Dockyard Chatham in this, the 40th anniversary year of it closure as a working dockyard.
ICON specialise in site specific work and Ghost Ships highlights their strengths. Telling the stories of ships that shaped the history of the world in the very slips in which the boats took shape and were given life, and reviving their haunting stories.
As an audience we are haunted by the ships of the past and reminded of the local history we should be proud of, the show doesn't hide away though from the moments in our history we must remember because of the misguided choices of our ancestors. The show does a fantastic job of celebrating the #diversity and #culture.
The story telling through dance theatre and physical theatre especially by the ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company cast is full of energy, tricks and drama and carries the narrative beautifully.
The show takes a shift when we see the growth of the British empire unfold before our eyes and the Amina Khayyam team take the lead on the narrative, to the Bengal famine of 1943. A beautiful display of story telling and deeply emotional. The symbolism spoke volumes.
The involvement of a community cast was endearing, to see people of all abilities and stages of their acting careers sharing the stage with masterful performers, it was clear to see their pride in what they were involved in. The choir were powerful and stiring especially when they take centre stage.
Hearing the voices of those affected by the closure of the Dockyard hit me with emotion in the finale of the piece.
A magnificent performance of epic proportion, a true spectacle.
Well done team ICON. 👏
@Creative Medway #Medway #theatre Arts Council England
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