Trauma that remains as an adult following any form childhood abuse is immutable, but is also highly personal and individual. Every victim has their own way of dealing with it, either it will remain locked away and never seen again, or tackled head on, expressed unabridged, and put on display for all to see, in order to give solace to others, reassuring them they’re not alone. The latter is certainly the case with Tania Camara, who has created something intimate, personal and beautiful, in which she fully wears her heart on her sleeve.
The first thing you notice is two bowls of sand at the front of the stage, the contents of which during Camara’s opening monologue, are used to create a type of cosmogram known as a Vévé, these represent spirits and deities honoured in African spirituality. In this instance, it is a representation of Oshun, goddess of love, fertility and abundance, called on to help guide her in times of trauma and inner turmoil.
Memories and the notion of a timeline are the means of structure in this journey of self-discovery and reclamation, utilising both live and pre-recorded spoken word wonderfully to give a sense of Camara’s story, and the trajectory her own life has taken. With each section accompanied by a simple one or two word title that is ever-present in the centre of the back wall, guiding us the audience along with her. Director Peader Kirk deserves a great deal of credit, as the simplicity yet potency of the balance of creative elements was delightfully managed.
The use of music was another major element, which was utilised extremely well, ever present, multi-talented live musician John Haycock created a gorgeous sense of atmosphere to underlay the experiences we all share. During the final ten minutes or so though, we are treated to a true climax, as the women of Creolas Di Salford, a group of performers who showcase Cape Verdean Batuku music, featuring women of colour, varying greatly in age, come together with Camara on stage in song and dance, all supporting one another in a gradual build of a finale, proving that love and a strong community will always win over hatred and adversity.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Tasmin Drury
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