★★★★☆
Marking their 30th anniversary, Theatre-Rites have joined with Factory International for their third collaboration, with Sue Buckmaster at the helm. In Return to the Foresr, families are transported from the monitored museum to an upbeat magical forest, complete with mysterious creatures and otherworldly landscapes.
The show follows a group of visitors lingering after closing time, beckoned by the precious artefacts. After a grand heist, they are whisked into another world, the objects reappearing and coming to life, telling their stories through puppetry and dance.
It’s a complex feat with a cast of 5; Mayowa Ogunnaike, Natnael Davlt, Simon Palmer, Teele Uustani, and Xolisile Bongwana alternate between playing their respective characters, hoisting set pieces into place, and puppeteering a multitude of spirits and creatures. For the most part, Gregory Maqoma’s choreography involves stylised and exaggerative movements with playful acting, and energetic expressions. These moments meld into dance, amusingly rolling around the laser fields, jittering in semi-possessed state, or joyfully dancing in unison.
Jean Chan’s set is full of surprises, inviting audiences to attend the museum, peruse the exhibits, and observe the heist before transitioning into a wider auditorium representing the forest. Additionally, various objects are strewn across a dangling swing throughout the journey, eventually creating a grand colourful ecosystem at the heart of the stage. Lighting designer Guy Hoare creates beautiful rays of light, beaming down as if shrouded by the tree canopy. The lowering light rig creates a sense of intimacy in later scenes, framing the vine sequence in a smaller space before the curtain is dropped and the set opens up.
In terms of immersion, the audience is shuttled between the spaces a few times. It’s amusing but after a while it begins to feel like a game of musical chairs. Regardless, each room had rows of seating for the adults and allowed children to sit around the stage and be closer to the magic. Cast members parade along the aisles, interact with the kids, get volunteers to duck and weave through laser fields, and invite everyone into one last massive dance party extravaganza.
Frank Moon and Domenico Angarano’s compositions and sound design were the most unique and immersive feature of the show, with enchanting mystical music, ambient hums, crystalline chimes, and gentle percussion. Bird calls, ethereal drones, cheeky piano plonks, water droplets, and moments of intense drumming also liven up the score.
Kinnetia Isidore’s costuming is dynamic and mystifying. Her most elaborate pieces included the multicoloured tasselly camera-bull and a range of captivating forest spirits dressed in grassy skirts and enormous owl, cricket deer, human, and mushroom themed masks. In another mesmerising sequence, the dancers emerge from the darkness, dressed in glowing red and green morph suits while entangled in winding crimson vines.
Puppet designers Alison Duddle, Naomi Oppenheim and Sue Buckmaster create even more wonder with versatile and playful puppet characters. Their uncanny old man pulsates inside a mound fabric popping his head out before a clumsy stumble and a soaring display. Their vined character had long slender arms, a featureless face, a bedazzled heart and a stream of warmly hued tassels from their abdomen, as if bursting from the performer’s body.
There are a few spooky moments that may unsettle younger children, as well as a slightly more abstract and long storyline that may cause some confusion. Despite this, the whimsical designs, funky movement, and playful characters are sure to keep the whole family entertained.
Return to the Forest runs at Factory International (North Warehouse) until May 10 and tours the UK until June 27.
Photo: (c) Tristram Kenton
JADAR 