Ignition Point is an Adelaide Fringe presentation by the No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability, showing at Tandanya Theatre. No Strings Attached is celebrating 25 years of “telling great stories.” The Theatre is a blend of indigenous and non-indigenous performers of mixed ages.
This presentation is made up of three sections, Soundscape to our Memories, Shipwreck, and Small Wondrous Little Things.
The presentation of the hour long show is multi media which deploys a giant screen behind the stage, whereon we see the faces of the performers mostly in extra close-up.
Director Alirio Zavarce explained to us prior to the opening curtain, that all work performed by the various groups within the No Strings Attached Theatre, was creatively and studiously workshopped, and this was supported by their Mentors/Tutors/ Performers.
The first part, Soundscape, is presented by the No Strings Culture Ensemble in collaboration with Jerome Hampton, and it explores ancient sounds which are the first ever heard and they include traditional indigenous sounds with a whole raft of well-known popular music alternating. As with each of the three sections, the stage is bare except for a few psychedelic coloured red chairs which the performers use from time to time. One is enticed into the circle of sounds which are at times mesmerising. The work by the performers is is quite enchanting.
Shipwreck by the No Strings Troupe is an extraordinarily funny piece which sees the performers accidentally abandoned from their beautiful cruise ship, leaving them marooned on a desert island. Adding to the fun, we hear strains of TV’s The Love Boat in the background, as the girl in the striped outfit sings a cracking version of We’re All Going On a Summer Holiday, backed up by the troupe. Very funny, and the ship’s captain thought it was a hoot! The whole piece was done with great energy and sense of fun. Fantastic ensemble work was seen here.
The final section, Small Wondrous Little Things by the No Strings Studio was a piece wherein each performer introduces the audience to their own private place which they find beautiful or challenging and extremely personal “little things.”
Each performer is to be commended for their bravery and openness in revealing their own bete noir.
