No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability has been a member of TASA for a while now. Due to the restrictions that we have all faced in light of the Covid pandemic and the increased risk to many, No Strings chose to think outside the box and collaborate with Theatre Today in Singapore to create a unique and innovative look at how people in two different parts of the world are coping with the lockdowns.
Why 2.0? – simply, the first version of the show was originally performed in Adelaide at the Festival Centre in 2020 with collaboration between No Strings and Diverse Abilities Dance Collective (DADC) Singapore. At the time, the No Strings performers were in the Quartet Bar of the Festival Centre and DADC were present over Zoom.
Same Same 2.0 has gone one step further where all the performers, along with the co-directors Jeffrey Tan and Andi Snelling have performed over Zoom. The even more incredible aspect of this show is that we the audience also got to interact directly with the performers right from the opening when we were welcomed with waves and cheers. At the end of the 30 minute performance, once again the audience were invited to turn our own cameras back on for a Q&A session and the opportunity to provide our feedback to the cast.
In essence, the show breaks down the interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes of its cast to show, even though we are all different, and live in different areas, we do not all like the same things, we do not all have the same abilities. Essentially we all are experiencing the same feelings, emotions and anxieties during the pandemic.
This is a very emotional, evocative and thought provoking piece of theatre, whilst at the same time, it shows us the excitement and energy that these performers have in being able to interact with others many miles away.
Performances this time around were part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival and will return in 2022 for the Adelaide Fringe. Keep an eye out for their next performance dates as I am sure you will be uplifted and encouraged that anything is possible because essentially we ARE all Same-Same.
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