The Global Playground (MIF21) at the Great Northern Warehouse

Image courtesy of Chris Nash.

Reviewer: Megan Hyland

Upstaged Rating: ⭐

The Global Playground is a joyful exploration of interconnectivity and playfulness that is bound to bring a smile to your face – whatever your age. It follows the turmoil of cameraman Sean (Sean Garratt) as he tries to put together a film despite the mischievous antics of the cast members. Dancers Jahmarley (Jahmarley Bachelor), Annie (Annie Edwards), Kennedy (Kennedy Junior Muntanga) and Charmene (Charmene Pang) consistently divert the recording with their escapades as they explore the stage with childlike wonder – reminding Sean that sometimes we all need to let loose and have fun. 

The cast command every inch of the stage that they occupy with their captivating, natural fluidity of movement.

In doing so, the cast command every inch of the stage that they occupy with their captivating, natural fluidity of movement and motion. Gregory Maqoma’s choreography is the perfect blend of effortless fun and spectacular physicality, with the cast moving in unison to create beautiful, joyful dance sequences interspersed with everything from puppetry and ventriloquy to physical comedy to keep the youngsters in the audience engaged. And each of these elements is seamlessly incorporated by the magnificent cast. Sean Garratt is also fantastic as both the cameraman and the voice behind Terry the puppet and the camera itself, making their characters just as vibrant and lively as the rest of the cast. His comedic timing and physical comedy are excellent, particularly for younger audience members. 

Although, some children may struggle to engage with the longer sequences without an interest in dance. While captivating for older audiences, the contemporary elements may not be as engaging for younger, non-dance fans. However, for those interested in dance, this piece is the perfect blend of entertainment for both adults and children, combining stylised elements such as vogue with a fuzzy orange puppet called Terry. There are even educational elements, allowing children to learn about how films are made through watching the cast incorporate equipment such as lightboxes, tripods and reflectors. 

A carefree, bubbly performance for all ages.

The ways in which Guy Hoare’s light design and Maqoma’s choreography involve these in the dance sequences is truly mesmerising, with dancers using the reflectors to create dazzling displays that flood the theatre space with light. Each time, the cast interacts with the equipment in new and exploratory ways, whether it’s wearing lightboxes or turning the camera into a sinister monster. And all of this is tied together flawlessly by Ayanna Witter-Johnson’s music and the musical performance of Merlin Jones, providing the perfect connection between such stunning visuals and styles of movement. 

Every child will be able to see themselves represented on stage in a joyful way.

Most of all, The Global Playground reminds us that we could all benefit from returning to the wonder and playfulness with which we explored the world as children, as well as the freedom that it gave us. It is a carefree, bubbly performance for all ages that shows we are far better when we work together than apart – though does not fail to showcase the extraordinary individual talents of its cast. And with such a diverse cast and range of dance styles, it ensures that almost every child will be able to see themselves represented on stage in a joyful way. 

-Megan Hyland

The Global Playground runs at the Great Northern Warehouse until 18 July 2021. Happening as part of Manchester International Festival 2021.

REVIEW – 4 x 4: Ephemeral Architectures (The Lowry, Salford)

Kate Byrne & Owen Reynolds from Gandini Juggling 4x4 Ephemeral Architectures - ©Arnaud Stephenson
Kate Byrne & Owen Reynolds from Gandini Juggling 4×4 Ephemeral Architectures – ©Arnaud Stephenson

 Date: 1 JUly 2015
Upstaged Rating: 

4 x 4 Ephemeral Architectures invites two beautiful, but integrally different, art forms to share a stage for the first time. Directed by internationally renowned juggler Sean Gandini and with choreography by Royal Ballet dancer Ludovic Ondiviela, Gandini Juggling return to The Lowry to collaborate with classical ballet dancers.

The result is truly beautiful – a simple exposed stage gives the 4 jugglers and 4 ballet dancers a chance to explore the beauty of these two very different age old practices. At times it is hard to separate the jugglers from the dancers and the fluidity is praiseworthy – a fusion of dancers extended limbs and skittles suspended mid flight.

4 x 4 is like rhythmic perfection, as pure patterns and mathematics collide – the jugglers move like dancers frequently and the dancers mimic the timing and movement of juggling with their voices, breathing and the soft pad of their feet on the bare stage. ‘Is it possible to dance when the ball is in the air?’ The jugglers and dancers trusting one another on stage – we realise that the two share similar skills – balance, timing, control and elegance.

This is a show with astounding synchronicity – as I struggle to keep my eyes on the balls, green, yellow and white; filled with mathematical complexity – flying clubs and throwing hoops to land like ruffs around the dancers. There are a few rogue clubs that hit the deck but they are hard pushed to dent this astonishing performance.

The fascinating and witty dialogue between the two respected crafts is supported by music from Camerata Alma Viva, a chamber ensemble of five (double bass, cello, viola and two violins) who perform Nimrod Borenstein’s original composition, ‘Suspended Opus 69’. Guy Hoare’s lighting design, with wonderful exposed lighting rigs, fully complements all of the movement on stage adding a further dimension to this striking cross-art amalgamation.

Running at around 60 minutes 4 x 4 is a surreal, assured and laugh-out-loud funny (my 9 year old thought so too) display of beauty and intelligence which certainly delighted the Salford audience.

-Kristy Stott