Lighting Design by Aaron J Dootson Sound Design by Oscar Thompson
Abel; Adam Davies/Henry McGrath
ZOO Sanctuary is a fitting venue for this Biblical physical theatre piece about the original murder.
The physical space and set are enough to set the scene; a church venue with an alter centre stage is eerie and powerful even before the actors tell their tale. Son of Adam and Eve, Cain retraces his path from Eden to damnation after he commits the first act of murder against his brother Abel. The piece explores the psychology behind the deed, baring it down to raw energy and the euphoria that comes from feeling emotions for the first time.
This is a raw performance; bare skin, bare teeth and bare vocals. The only spoken word is a desperate cry of ‘Cain’ which is powerful in the extreme. The story is one of the oldest in the book, literally, but Animikii Theatre have created something timeless. The movement and storytelling is primal and sinuous and is mnemonic of man at his origins.
The music that accompanies the performance is both ancient and modern, and evocative of the church scene the altar creates. It seems as though the performance is in its own capsule, belonging to no time or culture or creed. It is caustic, and one that you are likely to remember.
4th-25th August (not 7th-8th, 14th-15th or 21st)at 12.30