• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Ed Fringe

Review: The Heads by Blind Summit

February 5, 2013 by Tom Bailey Leave a Comment

Review of: The Heads
Venue:
Soho Theatre

Reviewed by: Tom Bailey
Rating:
4
On February 5, 2013
Last modified:March 22, 2014

Summary:

Puppetry should do what a performer cannot. That is the extraordinary thing about the art form and when executed with the precision, finesse and elegance as in The Heads the result is beautiful, affecting and, I hesitate to write for fear of devaluing, magic.

More Details

The Heads

Puppetry should do what a performer cannot. That is the extraordinary thing about the art form and when executed with the precision, finesse and elegance as in The Heads the result is beautiful, affecting and, I hesitate to write for fear of devaluing, magic.

The Heads cannot be reviewed as a play. It is more appropriately thought of as a piece of fluid art. Quite fitting is it that the performance takes place behind three frames, as in a gallery. Heads, objects and shapes float in chasm-black space as a delicate, morphing narrative unfurls.

Some audience were disappointed by the piece, regretting it not to be more like Blind Summit’s big hit The Table. But credit should be given to the company for creating such diverse work. The Table is almost introductory in comparison to the potentially highbrow The Heads, yet both shows deliver the same at their core. They are raw, honest and daring. No folklore, no frills, just hardcore puppetry. Blind Summit pledge ‘Extreme Puppetry’ and this is what The Heads, undoubtedly delivers.

Mention must go to Jon Whitten for his composition – at times harsh and unsettling it heightened the senses, beautiful and emotive, it was an accompaniment that neither drew attention nor went unnoticed.

Despite its wonder the piece is incomplete and the company continue to develop it. There were moments where I gasped, some when I cried and others when I was just a bit bored. But I have such confidence in The Heads and look forward to when it is finished; I believe it could be a masterpiece of its kind.

CAST:
Mark Down
Nick Barnes
Sean Garratt
Irena Stratieva

MUSIC:
Jon Whitten

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR:
Andrew Dawson

PRODUCER:
Stephanie Hay, Blind Summit Theatre

PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH:
London International Mime Festival


Tom Bailey

Author: Tom Bailey

Tom is a theatre maker and writer based in London, England. He covers news and interviews for Theatre Bubble.
T: Twitter F: Facebook

Filed Under: Review Tagged With: puppetry

Join the discussion Cancel reply

NEWS / Living Record Festival of digital arts announces programme

Living Record Festival is a month-long Digital Arts Festival curating and presenting over 40 original pieces from a range of [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Open Bar on A ChristMESS CAROL

Tell us about Open Bar Theatre and also how you came about and how the name came about. OBT: Open Bar [Read More]

NEWS / Ayomide Adegun awarded The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2020

22 year old South Londoner Ayomide Adegun is currently in his 2nd year of the BA Acting course at Royal [Read More]

NEWS / Late Night Staring at High Res Pixels announced

A new play repurposed for online viewing from the creative team behind Scrounger, and the first of the Finborough Theatre’s [Read More]

NEWS / Crimes Against Christmas becomes an audio advent calendar

Typically at this time of year theatre company New Old Friends would have just finished an Autumn tour and be [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • My Children! My Africa! Tristan Bates Theatre
  • Katy Owen: How to Apply to Drama Schools*
  • The Quiet House is coming to the Park Theatre with an important message
  • Interview with John Ward, director of Electra at the Bunker Theatre
  • Interview with Victor Oshin, playing Othello with ETT
  • Kneehigh's Ubu
  • EdFringe 2017 - Seagulls at the Leith Volcano
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release

Newsletter

Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

About Theatre Bubble

Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

Contact Us

News: news@theatrebubble.com
Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Blue Pie Media