The Group B Go Solo show follows shortly after (or before depending on which day you go) Group A, leaving the earlier performances very fresh in my mind. I’m eager to see how the solo performance genre can be stretched. 

Greer Phillips, Keagan Carr Fransch, Taylor Hall, Va’imoana Sinafoa 

Greer Phillips has no pants, no phone, but more importantly no lighter – hence the title: Got a Lighter? It’s this latter that must be overcome first and foremost. With no one else to turn to, the audience members are singled out to ask for help (reluctantly I might add, but these are desperate times).

I’m normally very weary of ‘audience interaction’ which, from my experience, can range from awkward to God-awful. Phillips easily wins me over, though, and builds slowly and delicately the trust of the audience. Before long we are fully invested in the outcome of her situation and will do what we can to help. The piece is a work of a very charming performer fully in control of her environment. 

Kegan Carr Fransch, in Waiting for GoDoor, builds for us a waiting room scene full to the brim with patient and not so patient people. Carr Fransch uses her incredible physicality and vocal capacity to fully distinguish each character (you really couldn’t get a group of more diverse people together if you tried).

Each character is brought to life in such a rich way that her performance elicits a gammut of emotions ranging from curiosity and laughter to unease and shock. The mystery door appears to be the answer to everyone’s problems but is it worth the wait? 

To try to describe what Taylor Hall is performing is difficult. I can say this much: SOMETHING IS COMING!! is intriguing and mesmerising at its opening; a strange combination of humour and impending doom. It’s clear he’s seeking something from the audience, but have we given him what he desires? If we have it’s a blessing and a curse, and unleashes something very unexpected which in turn gives rise to another being entirely.

As I’ve said it’s difficult to communicate Hall’s performance but it is captivating, intense, and funny. It leaves me pondering the relationship between the audience and the performer and the constant struggle for each to get what they want. Whether this was what is intended I have no idea but I enjoy it. 

Group B and night one conclude with Va’imoana Sinafoa’s piece, A’a. In a change of pace from what came before, Sinafoa’s story begins quite delicately and innocently. A cheerful routine is established with easy tasks. But as we discover the other people who are inhabiting this world, and as it grows, it becomes more difficult for the central character Sinafoa has developed to complete what is required of him.

At times it’s difficult to watch Sinafoa as he is torn between doing things correctly; he is a character under intense strain. The central, high tension character is beautifully contrasted with stoic older characters and a free and innocent child. The narrative is well paced unfurling at just the right tempo and allows for the incredible physical prowess of Sinafoa to shine.

See also: GROUP A | GROUP C | GROUP D 

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